Prime Minister's Questions last week left Westminster buzzing, and not because of anything Sir Keir Starmer said. Instead, it was Kemi Badenoch who stole the headlines after delivering one of the most bruising performances seen from an Opposition Leader in years. Predictably, the usual soft-touch critics were outraged. Some branded her "spiteful" for the way she went after Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, Starmer and the soon-to-be former Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Apparently, in modern politics, telling uncomfortable truths is now considered bad manners.
Kemi took her political rivals apart like a seasoned surgeon with a scalpel in hand. She didn't hold back. Speaking about Phillipson, she said: "She taxed private schools to pay for more teachers, but the number of teachers has gone down. Appointing a spiteful class warrior as Education Secretary was a disaster." It was a brutal line. But was it unfair? I don't think so. Do you remember back in 2021 when Labour MP Dawn Butler called then PM Boris Johnson a liar, and was kicked out of the House for her comment, even though BoJo had lied about many things? That's politics!
Politics is about scrutiny and accountability
Politics is about scrutiny, accountability and exposing failure. If ministers have made promises that haven't materialised, then they deserve to be challenged on them. That's literally the job of the Leader of the Opposition. Kemi also turned her attention to Rachel Reeves, accusing her economic policies of helping to bring Starmer's premiership to the brink. It was excruciating viewing and there were moments when both Phillipson and Reeves looked genuinely shell-shocked – I expected tears.
The reality is that Labour has had a torrid time in power. Whether it's the economy, taxation, education or a string of damaging U-turns, voters have steadily lost confidence. Kemi wasn't inventing problems, she was highlighting issues many people outside the Westminster bubble have been talking about for months.
Badenoch's critics call her aggressive, but she cuts through
Her critics accuse her of being too aggressive, but I see someone refusing to dance around the obvious. Too many politicians speak in carefully rehearsed soundbites designed to offend nobody and say nothing. Badenoch has never been that politician, and that's precisely why she cuts through. You don't have to agree with every word she says to recognise that she has a willingness to confront difficult issues head-on. So many of our politicians sound as though they're reading from the same boring script, and that makes Kemi stand out.
She's already seen off one Prime Minister, and I certainly wouldn't bet against her outmanoeuvring Andy Burnham and Nigel Farage in the years ahead. Kemi Badenoch has become one of the most formidable operators in British politics and if her opponents are this rattled already, they'll be hoping she doesn't get any stronger.
Starmer should have listened to Donald Trump
Poor Keir Starmer. Just two years ago he had the world at his feet. After 14 years of Conservative chaos, the country was crying out for change and he was handed the keys to Downing Street with enormous political capital. Somehow, he managed to squander it. As I see it, he only has himself to blame. He was surrounded by special advisers, strategists and policy experts, yet one of the most influential political figures of the modern era was spelling out what voters wanted to hear.
Donald Trump has an uncanny ability to understand public mood, and if Starmer had shown more conviction, backed British industry and been bolder on issues like North Sea oil and gas, I suspect he'd have won over far more voters. He may have upset the left of the Labour Party, but he'd have strengthened his support across the country. Watching the E5 leaders rally around Starmer was almost comical. These are many of the same politicians who spent years mocking Trump during his first presidency. Now they speak about him with a mixture of respect and caution, fully aware of the influence he commands. Seeing them consoling Starmer, patting him on the back as though he were a defeated schoolboy, was quite the sight. It's too late for Starmer, but if Andy Burnham does become Labour leader, he'd be wise to study his predecessor's mistakes. Leadership isn't about trying to please everyone. Sometimes it means standing firm, making difficult decisions and listening to the Donald.
Call for chemical castration of paedophiles
Another week, another stomach-churning paedophile story in the papers. This time, it's a British Airways pilot jailed for a measly eight years after raping a 12-year-old girl he targeted on social media. Eight years? It's an absolute joke. If you read my column or catch me on our Daily Expresso podcast, you already know my view on these sick nonces and rapists. They shouldn't see the light of day. Lock them up for a minimum of ten years, and don't even think about letting them out unless they agree to be chemically castrated. No exceptions, no sob stories, no excuses.
And for once, I'm actually going to applaud this Labour government. Their ban on under-16s using social media is a vital, long-overdue move. I know these predators will always try to creep their way into a child's life, but this ban finally throws a massive spanner in their sickening works. It makes it harder for them, and it's about bloody time.
World Cup's fake fans
The game's gone! I'm enjoying the World Cup, but football has lost its soul. Reports claim Qatar has flown more than 1,000 supporters to North America, paying for flights, hotels and match tickets to create the impression of massive backing. They're even said to have handed out "fan boxes" packed with replica shirts, hats, sunglasses and flags. If true, it's all about manufacturing an image rather than earning genuine support. Yet modern football is increasingly obsessed with money, image and PR. And as long as the cash keeps rolling in, FIFA appears happy to look the other way. Football deserves better than that.
Shania Twain feels like a woman
Some people have been giving Country music star Shania Twain flack for the way she's been dressing. Rocking a sultry sheer lace dress she left the crowds stunned as she opened up for Harry Styles at his series of London concerts. Now, dear reader, I am in no way trying to objectify Shania, but I have to admit that she doesn't just look good for 60-years-old, she looks good full stop! If you've got it, flaunt it! And Shania has it by the bucketload.
