Prime minister’s questions: a shouty, jeery, very often helpful advert for British politics. Right here’s what it’s worthwhile to know from the newest session in POLITICO’s weekly run-through.
What they sparred about: A bumper week for the speech writers … and a dire week for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. With record-high immigration numbers, a giant diplomatic dispute with Greece, and embarrassing COVID inquiry revelations offering extra jabs than a boxing match, the Conservative chief was on the ropes, whereas the chief of the opposition rubbed his arms in glee.
Politicians making an attempt to be humorous klaxon: In his opening remarks, Keir Starmer dug into the massive bust-up between London and Athens over the Elgin Marbles this week. “In an effort to cover from his failures, the prime minister spent this week arguing about an historical relic that solely a tiny minority of the British public have any curiosity in. However that’s sufficient in regards to the Tory occasion.” The home went wild!
That’s sufficient: Starmer additionally mentioned the prime minister “misplaced his marbles.” We haven’t heard that one earlier than…
Cautious: He’s on a roll! Starmer mentioned all the pieces Sunak touches “turns to …” and in looking for the suitable phrase, pointed at Residence Secretary James Cleverly for some assist. Cleverly’s been embroiled in his personal row over whether or not he known as a northern city a “sh*thole” or simply branded its native MP “sh*t.” What a time to be alive.
Going Greek: Starmer acquired to be all smug about his personal assembly this week with the Greek premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis, telling Sunak that the pair mentioned the “financial system, safety, and immigration.” Starmer additionally mentioned he had informed Mitsotakis the U.Okay. wouldn’t change the legislation relating to the return of the marbles to Greece. “It’s not that tough prime minister,” he jibed.
Completely non-scientific scores on the doorways: Like many males of a sure age, at the moment’s PMQs steered the chief of the opposition needs to strive his hand at stand-up comedy.
Starmer will get a 7/10 as a result of a number of the jokes have been (say it quietly, we mustn’t encourage him) humorous — however is that actually the purpose of this weekly scrutiny session? Sunak will get a 4/10 for at the least making it by to the tip.