Reform UK MPs walked out of the House of Commons during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday after Sir Keir Starmer made a pointed remark about party leader Nigel Farage. The walkout, which involved all eight Reform MPs, was triggered by Starmer's comment that Farage would 'say anything, no matter how divisive, if he is paid to do so.'
The prime minister's jibe came in response to a Labour backbencher's question about banning foreign political donations. Starmer used the opportunity to criticise Farage's party, which he said survives on overseas donors and cryptocurrency. Farage, visibly offended, muttered 'Let's go' to his colleagues, prompting the mass exit.
However, the walkout was not entirely coordinated. Three Reform MPs—Robert Jenrick, Suella Braverman, and Andrew Rosindell—initially appeared hesitant before eventually joining the others. Jenrick was the last to leave, making a dismissive hand gesture that observers described as childish.
The incident has been widely interpreted as a show of petulance, with critics noting that Reform's poll lead has narrowed in recent weeks. The party's MPs, who rarely all attend PMQs simultaneously, appeared to follow Farage's lead without question, reinforcing perceptions of a personality cult.
Separately, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch appeared subdued during PMQs, with some suggesting she may be coming to terms with her party's declining poll numbers, which now place the Tories behind the Greens in some surveys.
