Prime minister’s questions: a shouty, jeery, very occasionally useful advert for British politics. Here’s what you need to know from this week’s session in POLITICO U.K.’s weekly run-through.
What they sparred about: Amid conflict in Sudan and the looming votes on Rishi Sunak’s small boats bill later Wednesday, Keir Starmer opted to focus instead on grilling Sunak on the economy. After quoting former Tory Chancellor George Osborne — who branded Liz Truss’ government “economic vandals” — the Labour leader argued Sunak is “clueless” about the cost of living crisis hitting the public.
New nickname of the week: Fresh from being dubbed “Sir Softie” by Sunak last week, Starmer had a tax-related comeback prepared: calling Sunak “Mister 24 tax rises.” Not sure that one will stick.
What will stick however: When asked why the government won’t scrap the non-dom system — a tax break formerly used by his wife — Sunak referred to it as “this non-dom thing.” Expect to see that on Labour posters.
UK politics in a paragraph: Tory Tim Loughton opened PMQs with a culture war classic. Pointing to Starmer’s lukewarm support for trans rights, Loughton, a man, asked Sunak if he reckons Starmer is in any position to teach anyone about respect for women. Sunak, also a man, praised the question and implied Starmer — you guessed it: also a man — doesn’t know what a woman is. This paragraph was written by a man.
Helpful backbench intervention klaxon: TikTok-loving Tory MP Luke Evans used his question to the literal prime minister hold to account the housing policies of the *checks notes* Liberal Democrat council in his constituency.
Worlds collide: Thanks to local MP Sarah Atherton, football club Wrexham AFC’s millionaire owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney earned a Commons shoutout after the club earned promotion back into the Football League at the weekend.
Totally non-scientific scores: Starmer’s central argument — capped with the line that Brits are paying more to get less — will largely ring true in crisis-hit Britain. Sunak failed to move the argument on to more fertile culture war terrain.
Sunak 5/10 … Starmer 7/10 … Male representation in Westminster 100/10.
