Labour MPs criticise language used by Kemi Badenoch in fractious PMQs

Labour MPs have criticised Kemi Badenoch after a fractious prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, in which she accused the education secretary of being a “spiteful class warrior”. In a rare move, Badenoch was chastised by the speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, in the chamber of the House of Commons after she took the personal swipe at Bridget Phillipson before saying that Keir Starmer had been betrayed and had “400 knives stuck in his back”. “Let us think about the language we use,” said Hoyle. “Because when we leave this chamber, don’t be surprised when constituents feel they can use the same language. Let us show a little bit more decorum and respect.” Phillipson shook her head as the Conservative leader – referring to the Labour policy of applying 20% VAT to private school fees from the start of 2025 – said she had “taxed private schools to pay for more teachers, but the number of teachers has gone down” and had let Starmer down with “her incompetence”. Badenoch added: “It turns out appointing a spiteful class warrior as education secretary was a disaster.” Starmer responded that Phillipson, who experienced childhood poverty growing up in the north-east of England, was an “incredible story of social mobility and success” and added: “I am so proud … It drives every single priority and value that she has. …