Bridget Phillipson and Liz Kendall had a confrontation with Kemi Badenoch following the Conservative leader’s criticism of the Education Secretary as a “spiteful class warrior” during a recent session of Prime Minister’s Questions.
Badenoch faced backlash for making derogatory remarks about Phillipson, who was raised on a council estate in Washington in the North East. Phillipson, accompanied by Tech Secretary Kendall, encountered the Tory leader after the parliamentary session, with Kendall rebuking Badenoch’s behavior.
In their exchange, Badenoch reportedly vowed to continue highlighting Phillipson’s alleged spitefulness, while the Education Secretary retorted that the public would soon discover the truth about Badenoch. The incident unfolded as Badenoch walked away, forcing Phillipson to raise her voice to respond.
Speaker Lindsay Hoyle reprimanded Badenoch during PMQs for failing to show proper respect to fellow members. Despite subsequent criticism, Badenoch’s spokesperson mentioned that she had no intention of apologizing for her language used during the debate.
During the session, Badenoch referenced a survey by the National Education Union indicating that no teachers rated Phillipson’s performance highly. Criticizing Phillipson’s policies, Badenoch remarked that appointing her as Education Secretary had been a mistake.
Opposition leader Keir Starmer defended Phillipson, expressing pride in her dedication to enhancing social mobility through education. Starmer emphasized the importance of education for underprivileged children, contrasting this with the opposition’s stance.
The Speaker intervened after Badenoch accused Starmer of feeling betrayed by his MPs and labeled Labour ministers as traitors. Badenoch’s choice of words, including a reference to knives in the Prime Minister’s back, prompted Sir Lindsay to call for more decorum and respect in parliamentary debates.
Deputy PM David Lammy criticized Badenoch’s behavior towards Phillipson, highlighting a perceived difference in approach between the Labour government and its counterparts. Other Labour members, including Anna Turley and Chris Bryant, condemned Badenoch’s conduct as vindictive and lacking in grace.
Criticism extended beyond the Labour Party, with Lib Dem MP Tim Farron also denouncing Badenoch’s behavior as needlessly abrasive and disrespectful. The incident sparked a broader discussion on the treatment of elected officials and the need for civility in political discourse.
