Prime minister’s questions: a shouty, jeery, very occasionally useful advert for British politics. Here’s what you need to know from the latest session in POLITICO’s weekly run-through.
What they sparred about: Trust in politics — and Labour penny-pinching. In the last PMQs of 2024, Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch avoided the Christmas spirit of goodwill and accused Keir Starmer of telling porkies about pensioners.
Quick recap: Just weeks after the election, Chancellor Rachel Reeves significantly pared back the winter fuel allowance, restricting the social security payment meant to keep all oldies warm to only those in receipt of pension credit. Badenoch asked the PM how many extra people had applied for the benefit since Reeves wielded the ax.
Credit where it’s due: The PM wouldn’t offer a number, only stating that his government had been “driving up” eligibility and urging Badenoch to “join that campaign.” Good luck with that one.
Case for the defense: Starmer stressed the U.K. triple lock guaranteeing rises to the state pension remains protected. He then tried to turn the tables, pointing out that Badenoch’s top finance spokesperson, Mel Stride, just a fortnight ago called the triple lock “unsustainable.” Awks.
Age old question: Badenoch (sorta) channeled former Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn by reading out quotes and data from outside organisations to make her point. Charity Age UK said cutting winter fuel payments could “potentially jeopardize the health and finances of millions of older people,” she pointed out. Some 850,000 hard-up, eligible pensioners are not claiming the credit — and if they do it’ll wipe out the saving Starmer’s aiming for anyway, Badenoch argued.
Warm reception: Starmer pointed to a household support fund to ease the pain, and then referenced a niche Westminster story from last week about Badenoch not liking sandwiches. “Maybe over a sandwich or a steak, they could … tell us what their policy actually is,” he quipped. Cheers in the chamber, but not sure that one’s going viral…
It’s a knockout: Badenoch kept going. She highlighted a warning from hospice charity Marie Curie that Labour’s budget will cost them nearly £3 million in increased taxes. Starmer went on about previous Tory manifestos and argued Labour is improving “productivity, prosperity and living standards.”
Pulling no punches: “I don’t know what world he is living in,” Badenoch shot back. That gave her a nice chance to point out that inflation is now at an eight-month high. “He will pretend that this is about the past. But we all know these are his choices,” she said, adding: “If he is looking for a New Year’s resolution, why doesn’t he start with telling the truth?”
Choose your narrative: Starmer reiterated the “£22 billion black hole” he says Labour inherited from the Tories, and pivoted to talking about high immigration. The Conservatives, he charged, had completely failed to recognize why they lost the election “so badly.”
Christmas is all around: Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey, who’s undoubtedly had the most fun this year, highlighted his bid to bag a Christmas number one by singing “Love is Enough” with a young carers’ choir. The group even sang outside 10 Downing Street this week. “My family was surprised to see the honorable gentleman,” Starmer said, adding: “We have strict rules about anti-social behavior.” Cue genuine laughter.
Helpful backbench intervention of the week: Labour’s Glasgow East MP John Grady highlighted high waiting lists in the Scottish National Party-run health service. That gave Starmer the chance to slam the SNP’s record ahead of a competitive set of Holyrood elections in 2026. A full Christmas stocking for Grady from Santa Starmer is surely on its way.
Spotted: Former Conservative, Change UK and Lib Dem MP (it’s a long story) Sarah Wollaston in the Commons public gallery, doubtless remembering PMQs of Christmas past.
Totally unscientific scores on the doors: Starmer 6/10 … Badenoch 8/10. Focusing on winter fuel payments may feel like going over old ground — but pensioners vote, and they ain’t happy. Despite a nationwide drubbing, Conservative support is still strongest among the elderly. While Starmer insisted help is available and highlighted the Conservatives’ own policy confusion, specific answers — and clarity for pensioners this winter — eluded the PM.
