Keir Starmer, in what may be his final Prime Minister's Questions before Andy Burnham takes over as Labour leader and prime minister, delivered a strikingly angry and disinhibited performance, attacking the Conservatives over defence spending and a £4.7bn shortfall in the defence investment plan.
Starmer's anger at Tory defence record
Starmer was clearly in no mood to take criticism from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who had the temerity to question Labour's defence spending. He pointed out that the Tories had hollowed out the armed forces during their 14 years in office and then had the cheek to complain about him not spending enough on defence. According to Starmer, he was spending far more than any Conservative defence secretary would have ever dreamed possible.
Badenoch backs down
Badenoch, who seemed mentally checked out for the summer, initially tried to attack Labour's spending plans but quickly realised it was a step too far. She then turned to how the government would pay for the defence shortfall, specifically the £4.7bn over four years. Starmer nearly lost it again, noting that the Tories had left him a £22bn black hole, while he was only leaving a £4.7bn black hole. For the first time in her life, Badenoch backed down from a fight.
Starmer's therapy session
Starmer also took aim at Lib Dem MP's complaint about a hospital built on a golf course, and later went on a long rant about Nigel Farage's financial arrangements, suggesting Reform UK should investigate their leader's conflicts of interest. By the end, Starmer could almost bring himself to smile, having found catharsis in what he described as PMQs as therapy.
