Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader, engaged in a heated confrontation with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson outside the House of Commons chamber today, shouting: 'I will never stop fighting you. You are destroying children's lives.' The outburst came moments after a tense Prime Minister's Questions session, during which Badenoch had already branded Phillipson a 'spiteful class warrior.'
PMQs Clash Escalates into Corridor Confrontation
According to witnesses, the row began inside the chamber when Badenoch attacked the government's education record, accusing Labour of damaging schools. She specifically targeted the decision to impose VAT on private school fees for the first time in history, a policy she claims has forced many schools to close. After PMQs concluded, as MPs filed out, Phillipson allegedly made a parting remark that triggered Badenoch's furious response.
A spokesman for Badenoch later confirmed the exchange but insisted she would not apologise for her language, despite Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle intervening during PMQs to urge MPs to show 'decorum and respect.' The Speaker's intervention was prompted by Badenoch's reference to the classic sitcom Dad's Army, saying 'they don't like it up 'em.' Hoyle warned MPs that such language could encourage similar behaviour among constituents.
Badenoch's Spokesman Defends Her Comments
A spokesman for Badenoch stated she had gone easy on outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, claiming she felt sorry for him. 'There was very little aimed at the Prime Minister. This was about a Cabinet which has let him down, about a group of Labour MPs who have let him down and now they’ve got rid of him,' the spokesman said.
During PMQs, Badenoch also criticised Chancellor Rachel Reeves for letting the Prime Minister down and branded Energy Secretary Ed Miliband guilty of 'treachery.' The fiery session marked Starmer's first PMQs since announcing his resignation, just days after pledging to fight any leadership contest.
VAT on Private Schools Sparks Political Firestorm
The core of the dispute centres on Labour's decision to impose VAT on private school fees, a policy Badenoch claims is hurting aspirational families. Tory insiders have framed the issue as a fight to protect parents whose children's schools have closed due to the tax. Badenoch's spokesman insisted she would 'absolutely not' apologise for her language, despite the Speaker's call for calm.
