Prime minister’s questions: a shouty, jeery, very occasionally useful advert for British politics. Here’s what you need to know from the latest session in POLITICO’s weekly run-through.
What they sparred about: Increased defense spending. Ahead of Keir Starmer’s visit to Washington, D.C. to meet U.S. President Donald Trump, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch quizzed Starmer about his plans — and where the money was coming from.
Brief recap: In an emergency statement, Starmer told the Commons Tuesday that defense spending would rise to 2.5 percent of GDP from 2027. The Treasury was funding this by reducing international aid from 0.5 to 0.3 percent of gross national income in a sign Starmer wants to present Trump with a plan for protecting Ukraine.
Cross party backing: Badenoch began with a note of unity, wishing Starmer “every success” on the trip for “our national interest.” Both Tory and Labour governments stood behind Kyiv since Russia’s invasion, but the Tory leader wanted to know how Starmer would ensure Ukraine was at the negotiating table.
Self-determination: The PM insisted Kyiv must be at any talks and there could be “no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine.” While Starmer will take this message to Washington, there was little clarity about how he can shift Trump’s thinking if the president negotiates with Russia over Ukraine’s head.
Winning here: The Tory leader tried bagging a win by referencing a letter she’d written over the weekend calling for Starmer to increase defense spending by cutting aid spending. “I’m pleased he accepted my advice,” she said. You’ve got to take the little wins in opposition.
Brushing off: The PM dismissed that out of hand: “She didn’t feature in my thinking at all,” adding he was so busy “I didn’t even see her proposal” to much roaring from his backbenchers. To add insult to injury, Starmer declared Badenoch had “appointed herself, I think, savior of Western civilization — it’s a desperate search for relevance,” referencing her speech at the right-wing Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference last week.
Devil in the detail: The unity from Badenoch’s first question was gone. “Being patronizing is not a substitute for answering questions,” she remarked. She focused on the pledge defense spending would be £13.4 billion higher by 2027, considering the well respected Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank said it was really a £6 billion increase. The larger sum only made sense if the defense budget was “frozen in cash terms,” it said. Which sum was correct?
Round in circles: Starmer insisted there was nothing to see and the extra funding was “the largest sustained increase in defense spending since the Cold War.” The Tory leader stressed the PM “hadn’t answered” and said “something different” from his statement Tuesday. Despite her attacks, Starmer reinforced extra spending: “We went through this two weeks ago, going through the same question over and over again,” telling Badenoch, “If you ask again I will give the same answer again.” How helpful.
Trouble in paradise: The Tories have consistently opposed Labour’s plans to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, so Badenoch questioned if any of the defense funding would go towards paying Mauritius. Starmer would not be drawn, simply insisting the money was “to rise to a generational challenge” and the Chagos deal was important for security. Watch this space.
Remember him? Richmond and Northallerton MP and, er, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asked a question from the backbenches about prostate cancer awareness after becoming an Ambassador for Prostate Cancer Research. The PM thanked his former opponent “for using his authority and reputation” to speak out, reiterating the government wanted to do more.
Helpful backbench interventions of the week: Gloucester MP Alex McIntyre asked the prime minister to confirm he was “delivering opportunity for the next generation” by helping working parents with childcare. Starmer happily listed the government’s actions without hesitation — it’s almost like the question was planned. That’s politics.
Totally unscientific scores on the doors: Badenoch 6/10. Starmer 7/10. The Commons mood was somber as parliament united behind the PM’s trip to Washington being a success and delivering for Ukraine. Though Badenoch tested how much extra spending was going to defense — and whether it would fund the Chagos deal — the prime minister batted away her concerns, both with jibes and a serious message on security.
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