Topic analysis

Keir Starmer defends record as Kemi Badenoch accuses him of squandering election win

In the final Prime Minister's Questions before next week's elections in Scotland, Wales, and England, Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his Labour government's record—including work rights reforms, renter security, child poverty reductions, and increased defense spending—against Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's accusations that he squandered political capital and failed to cut welfare costs. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey raised concerns about food security following the Strait of Hormuz closure, while Starmer dismissed a defeated Tory-led Privileges Committee motion as a political stunt, and Downing Street affirmed Chancellor Rachel Reeves' position amid reshuffle rumours.