Keir Starmer quietly dismantles Kemi Badenoch's 'desperate search for relevance' with savage putdown

Keir Starmer quietly dismantled Kemi Badenoch's "desperate search for relevance" as she tried to claim credit for his Ukraine plan.

Speaking at PMQs, the Tory leader asked the Prime Minister about his plan to ensure Ukraine is brought to the table in any negotiations on ending the war. And she tried to claim credit for the PM's plan to cut overseas aid to pay for an increase in defence spending - claiming she'd made the suggestion over the weekend and saying it was the quickest response she'd ever had from No10.

The Prime Minister responded: "I'm going to have to let the leader of the opposition down gently. She didn't feature in my thinking at all, I was so busy at the weekend, I didn't even see her proposal. I think she's she's appointed herself the saviour of Western civilisation. And it's a desperate search for relevance."

Ms Badenoch went on to ask the same question twice - a request for clarity on the level of new money for the increase - and received the same answer both times.

Earlier, Ms Badenoch said: "I wish the Prime Minister every success on his trip to Washington, the visit to see President Trump must serve our national interest. The Prime Minister and I are completely united in our support for Ukraine as a proud and sovereign nation. What specific steps will he take to ensure Ukraine is at the negotiating table for any peace settlement?"

Mr Starmer replied: "Well, I thank her for her words about the forthcoming trip, and it is right - and I think the whole House will think it's right - that Ukraine must be at the table at negotiations. There can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine. That has been my consistent position in all of the discussions that I've had. That will continue to be my position, because this is about the sovereignty of Ukraine and their ability to decide for themselves the future of their country. So they must be at the table."