PMQ Review: Prime Minister in waiting

Sunak looks weak and desperate as Starmer schools him on tax

Keir Starmer brought a new tone to the dispatch box today, opting for a much calmer and more measured style of criticism. Compared to the accusatory tit-for-tat of the last few months, the Opposition Leader did a good job in cementing his ‘prime-ministerial’ appearance.

When Sunak did try to score points, Starmer was all too ready, calming stating: “in light of the case of Zara, I really don’t think the Prime Minister should be boasting about protections he has put in place for women”.

Once things inevitably turned to the tax affairs of Nadhim Zahawi, the Prime Minister was sent running scared, stating that the issues occurred before his premiership. The whole issue was an easy win for Labour, with straightforward lines such as: “someone who seeks to avoid tax, can’t be in charge of tax” and “we all know why the Prime Minister was reluctant to ask his Party Chair about family finances and tax avoidance”.

There was no clearer sign of Sunak’s loss today than his final argument about ‘the member for Islington North’.

The issue surrounding Johnson and the BBC Chairman was left to Stephen Flynn to discuss, which proved a stark reminder of how much charm Starmer lacks, even when he is on top of his game. Week on week Flynn is an excellent rhetorician, who Starmer can only dream of emulating.