Boris Johnson couldn’t do serious even when talking about violence against women

The prime minister faced a simple test in the Commons today, writes John Rentoul. Could he avoid party politics for just a quarter of an hour?

Boris Johnson, the inconsistent feminist (EPA)

Today’s Prime Minister’s Questions was a simple test for Boris Johnson. Keir Starmer asked six questions about how the House of Commons could come together to ensure that the murder of Sarah Everard is a “turning point” in how we tackle violence against women and girls.

The prime minister started off well, agreeing with his opposite number and talking convincingly about the need to acknowledge that women do not feel heard. He called, in the sort of language not usually associated with him, for “cultural and social change”.

It seemed that we were set for one of those sessions where both sides understood that they had to be serious and avoid the usual party-political point-scoring. It doesn’t make for exciting parliamentary theatre, but sometimes there is a place for constructive and collegiate discussion.