PMQs Return Highlights Key Issues for Starmer
Good morning. Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) is back, with at least two prominent issues expected to be raised when the Prime Minister faces Keir Starmer.
Tories Criticize Starmer’s Proposed Supermarket Price Controls
As reported by Sarah Butler, Mark Sweney, and Heather Stewart, UK supermarkets have been approached by the government to consider freezing prices on certain essential food items. This measure aims to shield the public from inflation pressures exacerbated by the Middle East conflict.
This initiative differs from direct government intervention; instead, the UK government is exploring a voluntary scheme.
During the Today programme, Treasury Minister Dan Tomlinson neither confirmed nor denied the report but emphasized that it was "not a government announcement," merely speculation about potential ministerial considerations. He stated it was appropriate for ministers to explore ideas that might alleviate the cost of living challenges.
This approach is unlikely to satisfy Kemi Badenoch. Andrew Griffith, her shadow business secretary, reacted strongly to the story last night.
"This is more nuts than a squirrel convention! I warned Rachel Reeves prices would go up if she raised taxes and drowned employers in red tape. She didn’t listen and now she’s proposing Soviet style measures!"
Conservative Criticism of Labour’s Energy Policy
Last night, the government announced a new policy development.
This morning, Kemi Badenoch described the government's refusal to permit new drilling in the North Sea as "insane."
"After 18 months of ‘standing up to Putin’ the Labour govt quietly issued a licence allowing imports of Russian oil refined in third countries. Yesterday Labour MPs voted AGAINST UK oil and gas licences. We are now importing from Russia instead of drilling in the North Sea."
Criticism is not limited to the Conservative Party. In an interview on the Today programme, Emily Thornberry, chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed that people in Ukraine felt "very let down" by the UK’s stance. She stated:
"We are talking about our allies in Ukraine who have been fighting a war bravely against Russia for years and years with our support. They have looked to Britain as one of their most important allies, and they don’t understand, given that we promised that we would stop this loophole in October, and we still haven’t done it. In fact, it seems to have got worse. People feel very let down."
Thornberry emphasized the importance of sanctions, noting that Ukrainians view them as crucial because "they believe that every bit of joint pressure they make with their allies is pushing Russia ever closer to ending the war because this is absolutely crippling their economy." She added:
"There was a G7 announcement on the 19 May which said that they, the G7, had an unwavering commitment to put pressure on Russia including sanctions on the energy sector and actions against entities in third countries that materially support Russia’s war effort but we’re still saying that we’re going to take sanctioned oil but so long as it goes to Turkey first and then it’s refined, we will use it."
Wes Streeting to Deliver Resignation Speech in Commons
Following PMQs, Wes Streeting will deliver a resignation speech in the Commons. He is utilizing the convention that permits a cabinet minister who has resigned to make a "personal statement" before the main debate of the day begins. Streeting resigned last week, citing a lack of confidence in Starmer as Prime Minister. Although he has not launched a leadership bid, he harbors ambitions for the top job, and his speech is expected to provide insights into what his Labour leadership manifesto might entail if he becomes a candidate later this year.
Agenda for the Day
- 9.30am: Alan Milburn, former Labour cabinet minister and chair of the government review into young people and work, will provide evidence to the Commons Work and Pensions Committee on youth employment.
- Morning: John Swinney will be sworn in as Scotland’s First Minister at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, followed by cabinet appointments with announcements expected by day’s end.
- Noon: The Prime Minister faces Kemi Badenoch at PMQs.
- 12.50pm: Chancellor Rachel Reeves will participate in a Q&A at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum. Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester Mayor and Labour candidate in the Makerfield by-election, is also scheduled to speak at various meetings during the event.
- Afternoon: Wes Streeting is set to deliver his speech in the Commons following his resignation as Health Secretary.
Contact Information
If you wish to contact me, please post a message below the line when comments are open (between 10am and 3pm), or reach out via social media. While I cannot read all messages below the line, including "Andrew" in your message increases the likelihood that I will see it, as I search for posts containing that word.
For urgent matters, social media is the best channel. I am available on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. maintains a presence on Bluesky, but individual journalists, including myself at @AndrewSparrow, also have accounts. Messaging me there ensures I will see and respond if necessary.
I appreciate when readers point out errors, even minor typos. No mistake is too small to correct. Your questions are also valuable; while I cannot guarantee replies to all, I will attempt to respond to as many as possible, either below the line or occasionally within the blog.
