Labour leader Keir Starmer faced a painful grilling from MPs at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on Tuesday, with his own party members questioning his leadership and the future of the party. The session was marked by tensions between Starmer and some of his senior team members, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who broke down in tears as she struggled to defend the government’s handling of the welfare bill.
Reeves’ sister Ellie arrived on the scene after Keir failed to guarantee her job at the next election, highlighting the harsh reality of politics. The Labour party’s perfect couple image had crumbled, with the welfare bill reduced to a mere “WINO” – Welfare In Name Only. The legislation gutted, with £5bn lost in planned government savings.
Starmer struggled to keep a straight face as he fielded questions from MPs, including a hostile query from Kim Johnson about his Hillsborough law promise. Labour’s Kemi Badenoch scored her first-ever win against Starmer, but her manner was off-putting, and many felt sympathies were drawn to her opponent.
The session ended with Keir attempting to sound appreciative of Rachel’s concerns, but the damage had already been done. The future of the party hangs in the balance, and only time will tell if Starmer can turn things around.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jul/02/starmer-tearful-chancellor-rachel-reeves-pmqs