Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated1730899282

UK politics live: Starmer snubs call to apologise at PMQs over Lammy’s ‘Neo-Nazi’ Trump jibe

New Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Keir Starmer to apologise over foreign secretary David Lammy’s previous comments about Donald Trump

Alex Croft,Andy Gregory
Wednesday 06 November 2024 13:21
Comments
Trump joined by Melania, Baron and Trump children on stage at election party

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Kemi Badenoch has attacked Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his MPs’ positions on Donald Trump and urged to invite the incoming president to address parliament.

An energised Badenoch seized on Trump’s election victory to haul Sir Keir over foreign secretary David Lammy’s previous comments that Trump was “neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath”.

But the Prime Minister dodged the opposition leader’s demand to apologise, assuring his relationship with Trump was strong.

Badenoch earlier congratulated Donald Trump on his historic election win, saying she looked to both countries working together to confront global challenges.

But Labour is divided over the impending presidency, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s congratulations and celebration of close US ties coming up against comments from former Labour frontbencher Emily Thornberry, who has labelled Trump a racist and a predator.

London mayor Sadiq Khan said many people would be fearful of what a second Trump presidency would mean for democracy and women’s rights. “The lesson of today is that progress is not inevitable. But asserting our progressive values is more important than ever,” he said.

1730899282

How a Trump presidency could blow the British economy out of the water

There are growing fears the UK’s trade with its biggest single export market in the US would be hit hard.

Trump’s threat to inflict huge import tariffs on the UK coud conflict huge damage on the British economy
Trump’s threat to inflict huge import tariffs on the UK coud conflict huge damage on the British economy (PA Wire)

It is now dawning on UK ministers that Trump’s threat to impose 60 per cent tariffs on imports from China and 10 or 20 per cent on those from everywhere else including the UK, could inflict huge damage on the British economy.

Britain could also suffer collateral damage in a US-China trade war, given the impact on supply chains.

The Treasury is putting a brave face on it, hinting the government would try to talk Trump out of damaging a natural partner and reminding him a global trade war would be bad for everyone.

Some officials hope Trump’s threat is a bargaining chip to get China to reduce its state subsidies; they point out he didn’t do all he said he was going to do in his first term.

But the Department for Business and Trade is alarmed and under growing pressure from business leaders to act – possibly by imposing retaliatory tariffs on American imports.

Andrew Grice6 November 2024 13:21
1730898152

A recap on Kemi Badenoch’s first PMQs performance as Tory leader

Kemi Bedenoch used her first time at the dispatch box as opposition leader during PMQs to launch a multi-pronged attack at Keir Starmer and his ministers over the UK government’s response to the impending Trump presidency.

It was a firey, energetic display from the new leader of the Conservatives. Here are the key points from the session, including what Ms Badenoch challenged Sir Keir on, and how the Prime Minister responded:

- Sir Keir began by congratulating Donaldf Trump on his election victory, and extended a welcome to Badenoch as Tory leader. Ms Badenoch thanked Sir Keir and echoed his sentiments about Trump.

- She then used her next question to ask whether the Prime Minister would apologise for foreign Secretary David Lammy’s 2018 remarks about Trump being a “neo-Nazi sympathiser”. Sir Keir ducked the question, instead saying when he had met Trump recently they discussed a number of issues of global significance.

- Ms Badenoch then accused Sir Keir of failing to distance himself from Mr Lammy’s comments, and challenged him to invite Donald Trump to speak in parliament. Sir Keir accused Ms Badenoch of playing student politics and repeated previous lines on the importance of UK-US relations.

- She said Donald Trump was right to argue the UK needed to increase its defence spending, urging the government to boost it to 2.5 per cent of GDP, which Sir Keir replied he had already committed to doing.

Angus Thompson6 November 2024 13:02
1730896993

Watch: Awkward moment Badenoch confronts Lammy over Neo-Nazi Trump comment

Prime minister pressured on David Lammy's Trump comments

New Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has confronted foreign secretary David Lammy over his previous criticism of Donald Trump following his election to US president.

Mr Lammy, has previously compared Trump to Hitler and called for his state visit to be canceled during his last presidency.

In her first PMQs as Tory leader on Wednesday (6 November), Ms Badenoch asked Mr Lammy: “The prime minister and the foreign secretary met him in September. Did the foreign secretary take that opportunity to apologise for making derogatory and scatological references, including, and I quote, ‘Trump is not only a woman-hating Neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath, he is also a profound threat to the international order’?”

Lucy Leeson6 November 2024 12:43
1730896091

Analysis: Ed Davey saying what many people are thinking

Sir Ed Davey appears to be the only politician with the courage to stand up to what Donald Trump stands for.

With much of the western world in mourning about the result in the USA and the fears over the Ukraine war very real, Sir Ed stands alone in talking about these threats publicly.

Many will feel uncomfortable about the way the Labour prime minister is now trying to cosy up t Trump - even if he has little choice. This may be the first time Davey has sounded like a serious opposition leader since his Lib Dems won 72 seats in July.

David Maddox6 November 2024 12:28
1730895969

Analysis: Starmer makes the most of a tough spot with Trump

Keir Starmer was met with laughter from the Opposition benches and silence from his own side when he congratulated president elect Donald Trump.

Keir Starmer was met with a spray of questions about the impending Trump presidency
Keir Starmer was met with a spray of questions about the impending Trump presidency (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire)

He will be hoping that the dinner he had a few weeks ago will put aside the other issues of his foreign secretary David Lammy’s tweets about Trump from a few years ago and the complaints from the Trump camp of election interference from Labour.

It is going to be a painful start but Sir Keir knows he needs to try to keep the UK/ US special relationship strong especially with Brexit isolating Britain from Europe.

David Maddox6 November 2024 12:26
1730895867

Kemi Badenoch calls for Starmer to invite Trump to address parliament

Kemi Badenoch has urged Sir Keir Starmer to invite to President Trump to address parliament on his next visit to the UK.

The new Tory leader urged the prime minister to ask the Commons Speaker to extend the invitation to the president elect, who swept to victory in the US election overnight.

Kemi Badenoch urges the Prime Minister to invite Donald Trump to address UK parliament
Kemi Badenoch urges the Prime Minister to invite Donald Trump to address UK parliament (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire)

Addressing the House of Commons at her first PMQs as leader of the opposition, Ms Badenoch said: “Will the prime minister show that he and his government can be more than student politicians by asking you Mr Speaker to extend an invitation to President Trump to address parliament on his next visit?”

Responding, Sir Keir hit back: “I think the leader of the opposition is giving a masterclass on student politics.

“But seriously, Mr Speaker, we live in a more volatile world than we’ve lived in for recent decades. It’s absolutely crucial that we have a strong relationship, that strong special relationship, forged in difficult circumstances between the US and UK. We will continue to work as we have done in the four months in government on issues of security, the economy and global conflict.”

Angus Thompson6 November 2024 12:24
1730895763

Analysis: Kemi Badenoch goes straight for the throat

The new Tory leader wastes no time in attacking Labour on the story of the day and she reminds the house of foreign secretary David Lammy calling Donald Trump a “neo Nazi sympathiser” among other disobliging comments.

She knows that this is a very awkward position for Starmer and a cabinet which signed a petition to keep Trump from addressing parliament.

She repeats her accusation that they are “student politicians”.

Calls for Trump to be invited to address Parliament. This is a different more rightwing Tory leader.

David Maddox6 November 2024 12:22
1730895467

Starmer congratulates Trump and Badenoch

Sir Keir Starmer has opened PMQs by congratulating Donald Trump on his “historic election victory”, as well as welcoming new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch.

The prime minister said: “As the closest of allies, the UK and the US will continue to work together to protect our shared values of freedom and democracy.

“Having had dinner with President Trump just a few weeks ago, I look forward to working with him in the years to come.”

Welcoming Kemi Badenoch, who won the Tory leadership race last weekend, Sir Keir said: “May I also welcome the leader of the opposition to her place - my fourth tory leader in four and a half years. But I do look forward to working with her in the interests of the public.”

Responding, Ms Badenoch thanked him for his “almost warm welcome”, promising to be a “constructive opposition”.

Millie Cooke6 November 2024 12:17
1730894395

PMQs are about to kick off

PMQs is about to get underway with Kemi Badenoch facing off against Keir Starmer for the first time as Tory leader.

You can watch them trading barbs here.

Watch: Kemi Badenoch challenges Keir Starmer in first PMQs for new-look opposition

Watch live as new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch challenges Sir Keir Starmer for the first time in Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (6 November).

Angus Thompson6 November 2024 11:59
1730893972

Which local issues will Badenoch pursue the PM over in the chamber?

While still bringing you the local political reactions this historic day in the US, we’re going to feed in a bit more of what’s going on in the UK, and with Kemi Badenoch preparing her first face-off against Prime Minister Keir Starmer as Tory leader in PMQs, she is expected to pursue the government over continuing discontent in some corners from Rachel Reeves’ budget recent budget.

One topic that could come up for debate is the change to inheritance tax that will see a 20 per cent levy on farms worth more than £1 million, which has caused an outcry across Britain’s farming industry and been dubbed the “tractor tax”.

For more reading on the issue, take an in-depth dive into one of our premium pieces here.

Angus Thompson6 November 2024 11:52

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in