In the weeds: After a successful PMQs probing the government’s education legislation, Badenoch dug into the specifics on that workers’ rights plan. Starmer wasn’t having any of it and would not be “taking lectures from” the party of short-lived Tory Prime Minister Liz Truss.
On the dole: Badenoch charged that Stramer didn’t want to focus on specifics because he “doesn’t know about” his own government’s plans. She even bagged a telling off from Speaker Lindsay Hoyle for accusing Starmer of misleading the Commons. Raising a businesswoman who is “struggling to keep her head above water, dreading what this government will do next,” the Conservative leader said the government is putting forward an “unemployment bill” — the opposite of growth.
Deploy those attack lines: The duo had a good couple of rounds about which front-bench had the most NIMBYs on it, objecting to local projects while backing national infrastructure. Starmer said the “only policies [Badenoch’s] got is to shrink pensions” — a dig at her position on the triple lock pension protection — while the Tory leader said Labour just loved “higher prices, fewer jobs, less growth.” Very helpful stuff.
Called to the bar: Badenoch also took a jab at Starmer’s legal past, arguing that the legislation — which grants additional day one rights to workers — allows someone hired in the morning to take their employer to court the same afternoon afternoon. “It is no wonder that this bill has been called an adventure playground for lawyers,” she said. Starmer needs “to stop being a lawyer and start being a leader,” she thundered.
Slap down: As though he were still in court, the PM rejected Badenoch’s argument entirely. “We know she is not a lawyer, she is clearly not a leader,” he chirped. “If she keeps on like this she is going to be the next lettuce.” Cross another Liz Truss reference off your bingo card!
Helpful backbench intervention of the week: Bristol North East MP Damian Egan mentioned the state pension increase and asked the PM to confirm it would never be means tested. Starmer happily concurred, using his answer to throw shade on Badenoch. There’s no vote like the gray vote.
Totally unscientific scores on the doors: Badenoch 6/10. Starmer 7/10. Neither leader covered themselves in glory in the dispute about whether the government was enabling, or preventing, economic growth. Badenoch focused on an analytical critique of one piece of legislation. However, some pretty familiar talking points criticizing the PM and banging on about Labour loving made unions meant Starmer could come prepared with his replies. Reeves’ earlier speech meant the government enjoyed a bit of momentum going in — and it showed.
