Kemi Badenoch launched a scathing attack on Sir Keir Starmer during Prime Minister's Questions, accusing him of pleading with his own MPs to support him ahead of a vote on a sleaze inquiry. The Conservative leader claimed the Prime Minister had been reduced to begging Labour backbenchers to 'save his own skin' in the Commons vote, which concerned a referral over the Lord Peter Mandelson scandal.
Badenoch also criticised Starmer's economic record, stating he had broken his promise to grow the economy and that the only rise was in the welfare bill. She called for the Chancellor Rachel Reeves to be sacked, citing the highest cost of government borrowing in two decades and a lack of a defence investment plan. In response, Starmer highlighted falling inflation and noted that increased borrowing costs were linked to the conflict in Iran.
The parliamentary session has been prorogued until the King's Speech on 13 May, which will outline the government's future legislative agenda. The announcement was made in a traditional ceremony in the House of Lords.
Separately, an antisemitic attack in Golders Green was condemned by London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, who described it as an 'appalling attack' on two Jewish Londoners. The Metropolitan Police arrested a man after two people were stabbed, with the Jewish neighbourhood watch group Shomrim reporting that the suspect attempted to stab Jewish members of the public. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp urged the government to take stronger action against antisemitism, Iran, and Islamist extremism.
