During a fiery Commons debate, UK PM Keir Starmer dismissed Kemi Badenoch’s claim of influencing his policies, mocking her as a “self-appointed saviour of Western civilisation.” He denied her impact on the aid budget and clarified the defence spending figures, triggering laughter in Parliament.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissed Tory leader Kemi Badenoch’s claim that she influenced his decision to cut the aid budget, mocking her as a “self-appointed savior of Western civilisation” during a heated parliamentary session on Wednesday.
Badenoch, addressing the House of Commons, boasted that Starmer had acted on her suggestion to reduce foreign aid while questioning discrepancies in the newly announced defense budget. “Over the weekend, I suggested to the prime minister that he cut the aid budget, and I am pleased that he accepted my advice,” she said. She then challenged the government’s reported increase in defence spending, asking whether it was £13.4 billion or £6 billion.
Starmer, in a scathing rebuttal, denied any influence from Badenoch. “I’m going to have to let the leader of the opposition down gently. She didn’t feature in my thinking at all,” he said. “She’s appointed herself, I think, the savior of Western civilisation. It’s a desperate search for relevance.” He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a £13.4 billion increase in defense spending, the largest sustained rise since the Cold War.
His response sparked laughter across the chamber, with Badenoch seen smiling despite the sharp exchange. The confrontation highlights the growing tensions between Labour and the Conservatives as Starmer seeks to solidify his leadership while Badenoch positions herself as a vocal critic of the government’s policies.
