Starmer and Badenoch Clash Over Iran War Stance at PMQs

During the latest Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), Labour leader Keir Starmer confronted Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch regarding her shifting stance on the UK's involvement in the war in Iran. Starmer accused Badenoch of making the "mother of all U-turns" after she previously supported military action alongside the United States and Israel but later denied advocating for UK involvement. The session was marked by a back-and-forth exchange that saw both leaders attempting to assert their positions on critical national issues, including fuel duty and military engagement.

The London EconomicPMQs: Keir Starmer humiliates Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage over their ‘screeching U-turns’ on the Iran warThe GuardianStarmer and Badenoch were like squabbling kids at PMQsNew Statesman

Starmer's primary contention was that Badenoch had initially pressed him to support military strikes against Iran, questioning why the UK was not taking a more aggressive stance. He stated, “If I’d asked her last week, her position would be, we support the initial strikes and we want to join the war. This week, she says, we don’t want to join the war.” This accusation was met with Badenoch's insistence that her focus was on the rising cost of petrol, as she questioned Starmer about the government's plans to increase fuel duty in September.

The Guardian

Badenoch opened the session by asking Starmer why it was the right time to increase petrol costs, to which Starmer responded that fuel duty would remain frozen until September. He emphasized the government's efforts to manage the economic impact of the conflict in Iran, stating, “The best thing we can do is to work with others to de-escalate the situation.” Despite this, Badenoch criticized Starmer for his previous claims that the cost of living was a priority, suggesting that an increase in fuel duty would contradict that stance.

PMQs: Keir Starmer humiliates Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage over their ‘screeching U-turns’ on the Iran war

Critics of Badenoch, including Starmer, highlighted her previous comments regarding the UK's military role. Starmer condemned her for suggesting that RAF personnel were "just hanging about," demanding an apology for what he termed an insult to the armed forces. Badenoch, however, maintained that her criticisms were directed at Starmer's leadership rather than the military itself.

The Guardian

Starmer reiterated his position on military engagement, asserting that the decision to commit the UK to war is one of the most significant a Prime Minister must make. He stated, “In this job, you don’t get a second shot on making the right call on taking your country to war.” In response to Badenoch's claims, a spokesperson for her office accused Starmer of misrepresenting her position, asserting that she had never called for the UK to join the war.

The Guardian

• “That is the mother of all U-turns on the single most important decision a prime minister ever has to take,” — Keir Starmer, Leader of the Opposition

The London Economic

• “If I were prime minister, HMS Dragon would have left a week ago” — Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Conservatives

New Statesman

• “’ Starmer replied: The Prime Minister had an air of confidence about him We are not increasing the cost of petrol.” — Keir Starmer, Prime Minister

Starmer and Badenoch were like squabbling kids at PMQs

The PMQs concluded without a clear resolution, with both leaders entrenched in their positions. The session highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding the UK's foreign policy and domestic economic issues, leaving observers questioning the effectiveness of the current leadership in addressing these critical challenges.

Starmer and Badenoch were like squabbling kids at PMQs