At PMQs this week, Sir Keir Starmer got a proper grilling for a change. Kemi Badenoch used smarter tactics: short questions sharply focused; half-truths instantly rebutted. The Tory leader abandoned her normal habit of covering the entire spectrum of Labour’s shortcomings. She focused on their worst error: economic stagnation caused by the tax-grab Budget. Why, she asked, is the Chancellor holding ‘an emergency budget next week?’
Sir Keir gave her a formulaic reply, crowing about his glorious achievements. ‘Record investment… three interest rate cuts…wages going up faster than prices.’
Kemi dismissed this as balderdash. She gave the true reason for the crisis Budget: ‘[The Chancellor] has destroyed business confidence.’ And she asked about the National Insurance hike. Did Sir Keir regret raising taxes on business?
Sir Keir wobbled. Instead of answering he started to flannel vaguely about the procedural details: ‘The Office for Budget Responsibility will present their numbers and there’ll be a Spring Statement,’ he said.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in