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 U.K.’s weekly run-through.
What they sparred about: The gloves came off early on during the exchanges between deputies Dominic Raab and Angela Rayner, who are standing in for Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer while they attend the funeral of late Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd.
The deputy Labour leader had a pop at Raab’s ongoing bullying probe, asking, under the government’s new anti-social behavior crackdown, “will more bullies be brought to justice?” Raab hit back: “I can assure the House I’ve never called anyone scum.” Rayner was criticized after referring to the Conservatives as “a bunch of scum” at a 2021 Labour conference event.
Rayner used the rest of her questions to grill Raab over the government’s record on protecting women and girls, prosecuting rape and the current court backlog.
Congrats to: The SNP’s Mhairi Black, who made her PMQs debut on deputies’ day as the party’s number two in Westminster. She used her question to mention the Led by Donkeys sting on Tory MPs
Groan of the day: Labour MPs did not like Raab turning a question on the death of British comic treasure Paul O’Grady into an attack on so-called “wokery” in comedy, particularly as he referred to the late comic as “Paul Grayson” — an apparent mixup with legendary 1970s camp light entertainer Larry Grayson.
Helpful intervention of the week: Tory backbencher Scott Benton broke up the rambunctious exchanges by using his question to criticize apparent underinvestment from the Labour council in his Blackpool constituency. Raab — you will be shocked to hear — agreed completely.
Totally non-scientific scores: Rayner came armed with damning facts and figures on crime and the legal system that could not be spun favorably for the government, despite a valiant effort from Raab.
Raab 6/10 … Rayner 8/10 … Animosity across the despatch box 10/10.
PMQs not-completely-pointless shock: Tory MP Caroline Nokes asked Raab if — following the case of victim Georgia Harrison — he would commit to reviewing government legislation on revenge porn to ensure more perpetrators are brought to justice — something Raab said he was happy to look at.
