Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch was reprimanded by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle during a fractious Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, after she called Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson a “spiteful class warrior”. Hoyle urged MPs to “show a little bit more decorum and respect”, warning that language used in the chamber can influence public discourse.
The exchange began when Badenoch criticised Labour’s policy of applying VAT to private school fees, accusing Phillipson of incompetence and saying her appointment had been a disaster. Phillipson, who grew up in poverty in north-east England, shook her head as Badenoch spoke. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended his colleague as “an incredible story of social mobility”.
Badenoch then turned on Labour MPs, accusing them of “cheering so loudly with their 400 knives stuck in [Starmer’s] back”. The remark prompted angry reactions and Hoyle’s intervention. After PMQs, a further row broke out as MPs left the chamber. Labour sources said Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told Badenoch her comments were “absolutely outrageous”, to which Badenoch replied: “You are spiteful. I will keep talking about how spiteful you are.”
Conservative sources disputed Labour’s account, claiming Phillipson had “aimed a barb” at Badenoch first. A source said Badenoch responded: “I’ll fight you all the way. You’re destroying children’s lives.” A spokesperson for Badenoch said she would not apologise. Labour whips are said to be referring the incident to the Speaker, with MP Tulip Siddiq planning a point of order.
Senior Labour figures defended Phillipson. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the attack revealed “something deeper about the direction of their politics”. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner noted that the cabinet is the most state-schooled in the postwar era, saying Labour members “earned their place through hard work”.
