Kemi Badenoch has faced backlash from Labour and the Liberal Democrats after suggesting Keir Starmer deliberately missed Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) to attend the Nato summit. The Conservative leader claimed the prime minister could have rescheduled PMQs to Thursday if he had wished, accusing him of avoiding scrutiny.
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper branded Badenoch 'Bungling Badenoch', stating her party's infighting appears terminal and that she is focused on 'cheap point scoring' rather than national challenges. Cooper demanded clarity on whether the Tories oppose attending international summits over PMQs.
Badenoch defended her comments at the British Chambers of Commerce conference, reiterating her view that Starmer dislikes answering questions. The prime minister had earlier criticised her remarks, with Downing Street confirming he had attended the Nato summit for national security reasons.
Meanwhile, Starmer confirmed he is offering concessions to rebel Labour MPs to secure passage of his welfare reform bill. The Resolution Foundation and Institute for Fiscal Studies published reports showing the bill could save £11bn annually by the 2030s, but also projected flat or declining living standards for working-age people in the short term.
