Last week’s session was truly awful, the PM completely ignoring Badenoch’s six direct queries and shouting about Nick Timothy and Iran. Even the Speaker was moved to say “I am not responsible for the answers, but this is certainly not Opposition questions.”
We got the same again this time, as the Opposition leader repeatedly tried to get a commitment to fresh drilling in the North Sea. Starmer responded with a mixture of counterattacks and attempts to offload the issue as per legislative protocol onto the Energy Secretary. When Badenoch told him he was PM and could make that decision today Sir Keir put his fingers up to his lowered brows (12:08:15).
If there is one U-turn we need it is on energy policy, the keystone of our economy. The PM blames war and claims “the only way forward is to go further and faster on renewables.” If in a hole, keep digging.
Starmer’s Government refuses to be properly accountable to Parliament and, through our representatives there, at last to us. Barrister and constitutional expert Steven Barrett’s view is that such refusal amounts to contempt of Parliament.
The PM’s bluster was directed at more than Mrs Badenoch. His stalling and aggression when replying to Nigel Farage’s question on “smashing the gangs” triggered a walkout by the Reform squad.
Last week there were three Points of Order in which Conservatives tried to get the Speaker to rule on whether Ministers could be compelled to answer questions. This time the Father of the House Sir Edward Leigh put another one on the same subject and Sir Lindsay again explained that he could not force responses without compromising the independence of the Chair.
Nor is this problem limited to PMQs exchanges. In today’s Points of Order Andrew Snowden (Con) complained of the Cabinet Office’s failure to answer two of his letters within deadline.
Matters, not just fingers, are coming to a head. There is an almost Cromwellian arrogance in Starmer’s approach to the “Mother of Parliaments.” One or the other may ultimately have to say “In the name of God, go!” Roll on, May seventh!
Speaking of which, there may be a Lib Dem straw in the wind. When the PM attempted to bat away responsibility for energy decisions in the direction of Ed Miliband the LD leader supported him, saying that was indeed the legal position. Mrs Badenoch told him “Stop sucking up, Ed.”
Davey didn’t go to Eton but he seems to know about “oiling.” Perhaps he calculates that in the next General Election even more people will turn to his party under the illusion that the Lib Dems are a safely middle of the road outfit (not so crazy as the Greens, at any rate.) So, is he putting down his marker for a Labour-Lib Dem coalition in 2029?
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