Bagging the win: The Tory leader welcomed the “rubbish policy” getting put on the scrapheap, though crowed that the change of heart came just after Health Secretary Wes Streeting urged ministers to “try to get it right first time.” Awks. In response, the PM reiterated his determination to “make it harder for people to work illegally,” and said there would still be mandatory digital checks. Hmm …
Grab the sick bags: The PM attempted to divert attention by making queasy political analogies. Highlighting the number of PMs, chancellors and housing ministers under the last Tory government, Starmer said “they had more positions in 14 years than the Kama Sutra. No wonder they’re knackered and left the country screwed.” Yuck.
Plough on: Badenoch recovered from that mental image by sharply moving on to inheritance tax for farmers. Ministers said they would increase the threshold at which it should be paid just two days before Christmas. The Tory leader pleaded the PM for an apology over the “misery” caused to farmers, claiming some were “so terrified” they sold their farms. The PM stood his ground insisting they were changing the “failed approach” of the last government.
Stable geniuses: As usual, both leaders focused on politics over policy, and traded blows over who is the most vulnerable. Starmer laid into the Tory “sinking ship” following former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi’s defection to Reform labeling it a “second Boris wave.” Badenoch, who has enjoyed some more favorable press coverage of late, quipped: “I’m alright.”
Battle of the backbenchers: The Tory leader tried exploiting Starmer’s weakness by raising frustration among his backbenchers and possible future leadership threats. “This Prime Minister treats his MPs so badly,” she said. “They follow his lead and he hangs them out to dry every time.”
Tortured metaphor: The pair traded barbs about U-turns on business rates for pubs, but Starmer’s speechwriters couldn’t resist another dig after seeing an “Ikea shadow cabinet” during a visit to the Swedish store earlier this week. “The trouble is nobody wants to buy it, it’s mainly constructed of old dead wood and every time you lose a nut it defects to Reform.” Boom boom!