Sir Keir Starmer has faced a grilling from Rishi Sunak in his first PMQs since reshuffling his Downing Street leadership team, after Sue Gray’s shock exit as his chief of staff.
The Conservative leader took aim at Sir Keir’s weekend reshuffle, which saw Sue Gray ousted as chief of staff and reappointed as envoy for the nations and regions.
Mr Sunak also pushed the prime minister to give a commitment that Labour will not change the government’s fiscal rules relating to public debt and borrowing and about his pledge not to put up National Insurance. But Sir Keir refused to clarify the situation twice.
Following a question by Sir Ed Davey, the PM also declared the Falkland Islands are “British and will remain British” after a row about his decision to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Meanwhile, Tory MPs prepare to cast their votes after Robert Jenrick warned about a potential “horse-trading” as the final voting round in the Conservative leadership race looms.
It comes as Tom Tugendhat’s elimination saw the Tory leadership contest narrow to a final three contenders, with James Cleverly receiving a significant boost in support in Tuesday’s vote.
ANALYSIS | Rishi Sunak jibe reflects inner conflict in No 10
At today’s prime minister’s questions, Rishi Sunak waisted no time in delivering a sharp dig at Sir Keir Starmer, using the recent ousting of Sue Gray as fodder for his opening remarks.
The PM seized the opportunity to mock Sir Keir’s reshuffle, questioning the Labour leader’s handling of his own staff.
Mr Sunak’s “fire and rehire” jab referenced the departure of Sue Gray and return of Morgan McSweeney to the post.
Her exit followed reported tensions and a power struggle within the Labour leader’s team, an issue Mr Sunak sought to exploit as the PM approaches his 100th day in office.
While the remark sparked laughter across the Tory benches, Sir Keir’s leadership is facing early challenges and the Conservatives weren’t about to let them go unnoticed.
Salma Ouaguira9 October 2024 13:01
ICYMI: Reeves’s potential borrowing plan ‘risks another Truss-style meltdown’
The government has been warned that a potential change to borrowing rules could spook the markets and trigger a Liz Truss-style meltdown.
While No 10 has insisted it will “absolutely deliver” on its pledge to restore economic stability, financial experts warned the plans could trigger investor backlash.
You can read the full story below:
Salma Ouaguira9 October 2024 12:55
Starmer jokes during Black History Month question
Labour MP Dawn Butler raised Black History Month during PMQs.
She mentioned her attendance at an event called “Temptations” organised but the Speaker to mark the occasion.
The MP asked if the Commons would hold a dedicated debate.
In response, Sir Keir made a heart-lighted remark, suggesting he “probably should not be going to an event called Temptations at the moment”.
However, he welcomed MS Butler’s participation at a Black History Monthreception at No 10 that evening, which he is hosting.
And that was the last question of today’s PMQs.
Salma Ouaguira9 October 2024 12:39
PM opens door for assisted dying debate but no time guarantee
Conservative MP David Davis pressed Sir Keir Starmer during PMQs on whether the government would allocate sufficient time for the Commons to properly debate the assisted dying bill.
Sir Keir agreed with the Tory MP and confirmed that if the bill clears its second reading, it would proceed for further scrutiny.
“We do need the discussion more broadly on this important issue,” he added.
But he avoided commmitting to giving the bill all the parliamentary time it would need to pass.
Salma Ouaguira9 October 2024 12:35
Keir Starmer promises road safety review
Liberal Democrat MP Helen Morgan raised concerns about road safety during PMQs.
She questioned the criteria used to determine when road improvement schemes are approved.
In response, Sir Keir Starmer admitted the importance of road safety and revealed the government is currently planning a new road investment strategy.
Salma Ouaguira9 October 2024 12:32
ANALYSIS | Ed Davey finally dares mention the B-word
The Lib Dems have been avoiding much mention of Brexit after being so ardent in their support of a second referendum and reversing the 2016 vote until Britain finally left in 2020.
But with the questions over Keir Starmer’s EU reset and growing anger at the way he refuses to agree a Youth Mobility Scheme for under-30s, Ed Davey has finally gone for it and put some pressure on the prime minister.
It also marked a break in style where he had been using his two questions more to attack the Tory opposition than the Labour government.
However, many will be more interested in the fact that he pinned Starmer down on the future of the Falklands and Gibraltar after the Chagos Islands debacle.
A good day for the Lib Dem leader.
Salma Ouaguira9 October 2024 12:24
Report into child poverty taskforce to be published next year
Sir Keir Starmer has announced a report from the government’s child poverty taskforce will be published in spring next year.
Labour MP Meg Hillier asked when the child poverty taskforce will report.
In response, Sir Keir said that it is appalling that “child poverty went up by 700,000 after 2010”.
“The taskforce report will be published in spring next year,” he said.
Salma Ouaguira9 October 2024 12:24
Starmer says Falklands are British and will remain British after Chagos Islands row
Sir Keir Starmer has declared the Falkland Islands are British and will remain British after a row about his decision to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
The prime minister last week refused to rule out ending British control of Gibraltar and the Falklands as he faced a backlash over a deal with Mauritius to cede control of the remote archipelago.
Asked on Friday to guarantee no other British overseas territory would be signed away by the government, the PM dodged the question, pointing to a deal to secure the long-term future of a joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands.
But, asked during PMQs about measures to make it easier for British citizens fishing off the Falklands to sell fish into Europe, Sir Keir said: “My uncle nearly lost his life when his ship was torpedoed defending the Falklands.
“They are British, and they will remain British. The sovereignty of Gibraltar is equally not going to be negotiated.”
Archie Mitchell 9 October 2024 12:24
Will you reconsider youth mobility scheme with the EU?
During prime minister’s questions, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey challenged Sir Keir Starmer on the youth mobility with the EU.
The party leader asked why the prime minister has ruled out a youth mobility scheme with the EU, which could offer young Britons and Europeans more opportunities post-Brexit.
He responded by reiterating the UK is in need of a “better deal” with the union, citing his recent discussions with the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Salma Ouaguira9 October 2024 12:21
Starmer not ruling out changing fiscal rules to increase spending
Sir Keir Starmer has said the government was stabilising the economy, as he did not say whether he still agreed with Rachel Reeves over whether changing debt rules would be “fiddling the books” ahead of the Budget on 30 October.
Leader of the opposition Rishi Sunak said: “Before the election his chancellor said changing the debt target in the fiscal rules would be tantamount to fiddling the figures.
“Does he still agree with the chancellor?”
The prime minister said: “This is literally the man who was in charge of the economy, 14 years they’ve crashed the economy. What did they leave? A £22 billion black hole in the economy.
“Unlike them we won’t walk past it. We will fix it. And it’s only because we are stabilising the economy that we are getting the investment into this country. But I still notice he has hasn’t talked about that investment.
“We are powering ahead with clean British energy, we are changing the rules to build 1.5 million homes and returning railways to public ownership, and they’ve got nothing to say about any of this.”
Salma Ouaguira9 October 2024 12:17