Rishi Sunak fights for his life at PMQs as Keir Starmer issues hit after hit in brutal Commons showdown

Millie Cooke

By Millie Cooke


Published: 13/12/2023

- 12:16

Updated: 13/12/2023

- 13:54

Starmer told MPs the Tory party 'is in meltdown and everyone is paying the price'

Rishi Sunak has found himself fighting for his political life at Prime Minister's Questions today, as Sir Keir Starmer issued hit after hit on the PM in a brutal Commons showdown.

The Labour leader joked: “Christmas is a time of peace on earth and goodwill for all. Has anybody told the Tory party?”


He added: "The Tory party is in meltdown and everyone is paying the price.

"He kicked the can down the road, but in the last week his MPs have said of him, 'he's not capable enough', 'he's inexperienced', 'he's arrogant', 'a really bad politician'."

WATCH: Starmer goes head-to-head with Sunak in the final PMQs of the year

Asking for a show of hands, Starmer asked: "Who was it that said he's a really bad politician? Hands up!".

"What about inexperienced? What was that?

"Or, there's got to be some hands for this. What about 'he's got to go'?"

Lindsay Hoyle was forced to interrupt as MPs on the backbenches shouted over the Labour leader as he continued on his rant.

The Speaker said: "It's Christmas. But you might not want the Christmas present that I could give you."

In a final swipe at Sunak, Starmer added: "Apparently he is holding a Christmas party next week. How is the invite list looking?"

Responding, Sunak said: "I thank the honourable gentleman for all his comments. What I would say is, he should hear what they have to say about him Mr Speaker."

Hitting back once again, Starmer continued: "They've obviously found the donkey for their nativity. The search for the three wise men may take a little longer.

"But whilst they fight amongst themselves, there is a country out here that isn't being governed.

"Where more than 100,000 people are paying hundreds more a month for their mortgages.

"Energy bills, going back up in January. The economy, shrinking again.

"NHS waiting lists at an all-time high. Doesn't he think the government would be better off fixing the messes they've already made, rather than scrambling to create new ones?"

The brutal back and forth came just one day after Sunak saw off a major rebellion brewing in the Tory party yesterday, as MPs threatened to vote down his new migration legislation.

The Rwanda Bill successfully passed its second reading, but 37 MPs abstained and have warned Sunak he must make amendments if the legislation is to survive the next stage of scrutiny.

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