Sir Keir Starmer has refused to apologise on behalf of David Lammy after his Foreign Secretary previously branded President-elect Donald Trump a “neo-Nazi-sympathiser”.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch pushed the Prime Minister on Lammy’s comments about Trump just hours after the 78-year-old declared victory over Kamala Harris.
The new Leader of the Opposition asked: “If he [Mr Lammy] did not apologise, will the Prime Minister do so now on his behalf?”
Starmer replied: “There will be many issues on which the leader of the opposition and I disagree but there will be issues that do unite this House on national security and Ukraine and I do look forward to working closely with her on that.”
He added: “The Foreign Secretary and I did meet president-elect Trump just a few weeks ago for dinner for about a couple of hours and we discussed a number of issues of global significant. It was a very constructive exercise.”
However, Starmer also signalled his intention to revisit an Anglo-American trade deal.
The Prime Minister said: “Of course, we will discuss issues of our economy with the President-elect as we already have done. Economy, security and global conflict are issues of real significance that ought to unite this House.”
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Minister says just 500 farms will be hit by inheritance tax change
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds
PA
According to a government minister, just 500 farms will be affected by the inheritance tax changes, dismissing the opposition’s warnings about the controversial policy as scaremongering.
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “So, actually, if you look at the number, the total number across the UK of farms that would have been affected by this change, it’s only 500, yes, it’s 500 for the 2026/27 financial year.
“And I think that has been missed,” he said during a debate on the budget measures.
“I would also remind colleagues on this side, if you have any kind of inheritance tax liability, you have 10 years to pay interest free. So, I think, to be frank, some of this is a little bit of scaremongering on the other side and we’ve got to be clear with people about what actually the case is.”
Lammy will serve as Foreign Sec for entire five-year Parliament, No10 says
Parliament TV
David Lammy will remain Foreign Secretary for the entirety of the five-year Parliament.
Asked whether Lammy would stay in post for the whole of the parliamentary term, the Prime Minister’s press secretary said: “Yes, he’s the Foreign Secretary.”
Trump welcome to visit Parliament after Badenoch quizzed Starmer on President
Sir Keir Starmer “would welcome” Donald Trump to the Houses of Parliament but the matter is up to the Speaker, a No10 spokesman has said.
Asked whether the Prime Minister would be open to the President-elect addressing Parliament, his official spokesman said: “I think questions for the House are for the Speaker, but clearly the Prime Minister would of course welcome a visit from President-elect Trump to the UK in the future.”
Trump, who is extremely proud of his Scottish roots, enjoyed a state visit to the UK in 2019.
However, the then-President was met by a large number of protesters and dozens of Labour MPs voiced opposition to the 45th Commander-in-Chief.
Badenoch enlists Jenrick supporters to beef out Shadow team
Kemi Badenoch has enlisted even more Robert Jenrick supporters to her Shadow team.
The Leader of the Opposition appointed Danny Kruger as Shadow Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions.
Wendy Morton joined as Shadow Foreign Minister, with Jenrick-supporter Gareth Davies entering as Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury.
Badenoch-backer Harriet Baldwin will join Andrew Griffith shadowing the Department for Business and Trade.
Meanwhile, Beaconsfield MP Joy Morrissey will accompany Gagan Mohindra as co-Shadow Deputy Chief Whip.
Labour sticks with electric vehicle incentives despite Rachel Reeves introducing car tax hikes next year
Labour has reaffirmed its commitment to help drivers purchase an electric vehicle despite increasing the tax threshold in this year’s Autumn Budget.
Certain types of low-emission vehicles are eligible for a grant from the Government to help lower the costs including wheelchair accessible vehicles, motorcycles, small and large vans, small and large trucks and taxis.
In total, drivers could get up to 35 per cent off certain electric vehicles with the new Labour Government footing the majority of the bill.
Under the current grant scheme, wheelchair accessible vehicles can receive a maximum discount of £2,500, provided they have zero CO2 emissions and can travel at least 70 miles without emissions.
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Starmer takes swipe at Cleverly after migrant crisis grilling
Sir Keir Starmer has taken a swipe at former Home Secretary James Cleverly after being quizzed on the migrant crisis.
Cleverly looked to heap the pressure on the Prime Minister over plans to expand an ex-RAF base in his Braintree constituency.
However, after trying to catch the Prime Minister out for “dishonesty”, Cleverly left himself open to an attack about the recent Tory leadership race.
Starmer said: “His problem is, if he could add up he might be down here rather than up there.”
Cleverly had reportedly miscalculated his support in the final ballot.
Starmer issues three-word response to calls to suspend Butler over ‘blackface’ post
Sir Keir Starmer has issued a three-word response after being asked if he will suspend Dawn Butler after the Labour MP shared a post accusing Kemi Badenoch of “white supremacy in blackface”.
Tory MP Ben Obese-Jecty asked: “Does the Prime Minister think it is acceptable for a backbench MP to suggest that the leader of the opposition represents white supremacy in blackface?”
In a curt response, Starmer said: “No, I don’t.”
Davey pushes Starmer over Trump’s triumph and EU ties
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has put pressure on Sir Keir Starmer over Donald Trump’s victory as he urged the Prime Minister consider pursuing closer ties with the European Union.
Davey asked if the Prime Minister was concerned with the economic impacts of Trump’s looming tariffs.
He also demanded a response from Starmer over whether he recognises that it is “more important than ever” to remove trade barriers with Europe.
Starmer responded by arguing he put the economy at the centre of his Budget.
Badenoch grilled over ‘insulting’ partygate defence
Kemi Badenoch has been grilled for defending Boris Johnson’s partygate scandal.
Labour MP Mary Glindon asked Sir Keir Starmer about suitcases full of wine and karaoke machines” in Downing Street, highlighting how Badenoch described the outrage as “overblown”.
The Prime Minister said Badenoch was “wrong to describe the public anger as overblown”, and he is sure she will want to clarify “at the first opportunity”.
Starmer swats away Badenoch’s ‘scripted’ quip
Sir Keir Starmer has swatted away Kemi Badenoch’s quip about his “scripted” lines at PMQs.
The Leader of the Opposition appeared to refer to Starmer’s repetition of the £22billion “black hole” in public finances and comments about the “mess” made by the last Tory Government.
However, Sir Keir Starmer joked: “If she’s going to complain about scripted answers it’s probably best not to read that out.”
Trump dominates Badenoch’s first PMQs as Starmer quizzed on defence spending
Kemi Badenoch has repeatedly referred to Donald Trump and quizzed Sir Keir Starmer over Donald Trump’s plan to pressure Europe to increase defence spending.
The new Tory leader said: “President Trump is also right to argue that Europe needs to increase its defence spending. The last Conservative government committed to raising defence spending to 2.5 per cent by 2030.
“Will the Prime Minister finally match this commitment?”
However, Starmer replied: “There is no more important duty than keeping the people of this country safe. It was the Labour Government that signed the Nato treaty in the first place… we have a strategic defence review, we are committed to 2.5 per cent.”
Tory MPs heckled the Prime Minister following his rather aloof answer.
Badenoch also accused Reeves’ Budget of reflecting “Bidenomics”, warning Starmer risks serving as a “one-term leader”.
She added: “It turns out that a high spending, high borrowing, high inflation approach is less popular than she may have thought. May I suggest he now urge her to change course or is he determined to be a one-term leader?”
Starmer should invite Trump to Houses of Parliament, Badenoch claims
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has urged Sir Keir Starmer to invite Donald Trump to address the Houses of Parliament after the President-elect defeated Kamala Harris earlier today.
Badenoch asked: “I am very sure that president Trump will soon be calling to thank him for sending all of those north London Labour activists to campaign for his opponent.
“Given that most of his Cabinet signed a motion to ban president Trump from addressing Parliament, will the Prime Minister show that he and his Government can be more than student politicians by asking the Speaker to extend an invitation to president Trump to address Parliament on his next visit?”
Responding to his opposite number, Starmer said: “The Leader of the Opposition is giving a masterclass on student politics.”
Badenoch thanks PM for ‘almost warm welcome’
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has thanked Sir Keir Starmer for an “almost warm welcome”.
Badenoch described serving as Leader of the Opposition as the “immense privilege and the honour of my life”.
Badenoch’s showdown with Starmer seconds away
The stage is set for Kemi Badenoch’s maiden showdown with Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions.
Anderson required to apologise for ‘bullying and harassment’ after swearing at security officer
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has been forced to apologise to the House of Commons after breaching Parliament’s bullying and harassment policy by swearing at a security officer.
The Ashfield MP was found to have sworn twice at a security officer after his pass did not work when he was trying to enter the parliamentary estate in November 2023.
ICYMI: Starmer pressured to ‘reverse Brexit’ as Lefties fear Trump tariffs
Sir Keir Starmer has been placed under yet more pressure to reverse Brexit as Donald Trump looks set to exert pressure on America’s trade partners when he returns to the White House.
Campaigners who oppose the UK’s decision to cut ties with the EU believe rejoining the single market, customs union or Brussels bloc altogether could alleviate the fiscal pain.
Trump’s likely return to the White House is fuelling fears after the 45th President threatened a blanket 10 per cent tariff on all imports, with the levy rising as high as 60 per cent for goods from China.
The US is also Britain’s single biggest trade partner, above Germany, the Netherlands, France and China.
Liberal Democrat Minister leader Sir Ed Davey said: “Fixing the UK’s broken relationship with the EU is even more urgent than before. We must strengthen trade and defence cooperation across Europe to help protect ourselves from the damage Trump will do.”
In a somber reaction to Trump’s victory, Davey added: “This is a dark, dark day for people around the globe. The world’s largest economy and most powerful military will be led by a dangerous, destructive demagogue.
“The next President of the United States is a man who actively undermines the rule of law, human rights, international trade, climate action and global security.
“Millions of Americans – especially women and minorities – will be incredibly fearful about what comes next. We stand with them.
“Families across the UK will also be worrying about the damage Trump will do to our economy and our national security, given his record of starting trade wars, undermining NATO and emboldening tyrants like Putin.”
Despite supporting a second referendum on EU membership in 2019, the Prime Minister is clear that he will not rejoin the single market, customs union or Brussels bloc.
However, Starmer’s Labour Government is hoping to “reset” cross-Channel relations.
The Prime Minister also congratulated Trump on his victory this morning, adding: “We stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.”
Boris congratulates Trump on ‘amazing victory’ over Harris
Huge congratulations to Donald Trump on his amazing victory. I have no doubt he will now set about making America strong at home and abroad pic.twitter.com/7UV5lxBZ0F
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 6, 2024
Badenoch joins Starmer and Farage in congratulating Trump over White House win
New Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has joined Sir Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage in congratulating Donald Trump for its 2024 White House win.
In a social media post, Badenoch said: “Congratulations President-elect Donald Trump on your historic election victory.
“The world faces many serious challenges and I look forward to our two countries working together to confront them.”
Senior Labour MP labels Trump racist sexual predator minutes after victory speech
Foreign Affairs Select Committee chair Emily Thornberry has yet again labelled Donald Trump as a racist sexual predator.
Just minutes after Trump’s Mar-a-Lago victory speech, the Islington South MP was asked if she stood by her previous comments in 2019.
She said: “Well, he is. But he is the President of the United States, and we need to work with him.”
Farage urges Starmer to ‘grasp huge opportunity’ after Trump victory
Nigel Farage has put pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to “grasp” the opportunity presented by Donald Trump’s 2024 victory.
After sharing a photo alongside the next President, the Reform UK leader said: “Donald Trump is a genuine friend of the United Kingdom.
“Keir Starmer must roll out the red carpet for the 47th President of the USA. This is a huge opportunity to be grasped.”
Lammy ‘looking forward’ to working with Trump after years of bashing ex-President
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said he is “looking forward” to working with Donald Trump and JD Vance as the Republican duo declared victory over Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
Lammy, who previously called Trump a “neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath”, said: “Congratulations to Donald Trump on your victory.
“The UK has no greater friend than the US, with the special relationship being cherished on both sides of the Atlantic for more than 80 years.
“We look forward to working with you and JD Vance in the years ahead.”
Keir Starmer congratulates Donald Trump as PM predicts special relationship will ‘propser’
Sir Keir Starmer has congratulated Donald Trump as the ex-President looks set to return to the White House in January.
Starmer, who was keeping an eye on the 2024 US Presidential Election last night, said: “Congratulations President-elect Trump on your historic election victory.
“I look forward to working with you in the years ahead.
“As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.
“From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come.”
Starmer’s remarks came just minutes after French President Emmanuel Macron sent his message to Trump.
Macron said: “Congratulations President Donald Trump. Ready to work together as we have done for four years.
“With your convictions and with mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.”
Tory veteran offered Shadow Cabinet advice ahead of Badenoch’s showdown with Starmer
Sir Iain Duncan Smith
PA
Ex-Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has offered some advice to the Shadow Cabinet ahead of Kemi Badenoch’s PMQs showdown with Sir Keir Starmer.
Speaking to GB News’, the Brexit-backing Chingford & Woodford Green MP said: “I went there to address [the Shadow Cabinet], so there’s a start.
“I just said what opposition is like. You’ve got to remember, we’re a whole generation away from opposition now, and so most of the MPs that are in the cabinet have never, in fact all of them, have never experienced opposition.”
He added: “Well, for the opposition it is. It is essentially a form of [guerrilla warfare] because that’s what you want. That’s what the public want.
“They want to know that you’re on the front foot and holding them to account no matter what, so they don’t get away with some of these flip decisions like banning this and banning that, or raising taxes.
“You’re going to be on the side of those who have to pick up the bill.”
