Kemi Badenoch criticises Sir Keir Starmer over U-turns and confusion
Kemi Badenoch has unleashed a blistering attack on Sir Keir Starmer, labelling him “clueless” and accusing him of creating a climate of confusion through a series of policy U-turns, reports BritPanorama.
The Conservative leader responded to the Prime Minister’s recent reversal on the controversial digital ID card initiative, describing it as a “rubbish policy” and asserting that Britain is better off without it.
Badenoch’s criticism came during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), following the government’s decision to abandon plans that would have mandated a single digital ID for workers. The Prime Minister had assured last year that this policy would be compulsory.
In the Commons, the Prime Minister stated: “I am determined to make it harder for people to work illegally in this country, and that’s why there will be checks. They will be digital, and they will be mandatory.” This shift marks the 13th U-turn since Labour assumed office in summer 2024.
Highlighting the governmental inconsistency, Badenoch claimed that Labour MPs are “forced to defend policies they know will not last.” She remarked on the Prime Minister’s treatment of his MPs, suggesting they are left vulnerable due to the lack of a coherent direction.
“The reason he U-turns all the time is because he is clueless,” she stated, comparing his governance to “a plastic bag in the wind, no sense of direction whatsoever.”
In response, Starmer rebuffed Badenoch’s accusations, pointing out the volatility within the Conservative party itself. He noted, “From the party that used to recognize the challenge of climate change, and now they run from it, who promised to cut immigration but then lost control of it.”
Starmer further added that the Conservative party had seen “five Prime Ministers, six chancellors, eight home secretaries, and 16 housing ministers” over the past 14 years, suggesting that this rapid turnover has left them ill-equipped to govern effectively.
A government spokesperson maintained that the administration is still committed to mandatory digital right-to-work checks, stating current checks are unreliable and prone to fraud. The spokesperson expressed that details regarding the digital ID scheme would emerge after a public consultation.
The spokesperson concluded, “Digital ID will make everyday life easier for people, ensuring public services are more personal, joined-up and effective, while also remaining inclusive.”
This ongoing discussion around policy reversals highlights the turbulent political landscape as Labour grapples with maintaining consistency in the face of public scrutiny and internal party challenges.
As Labour navigates these challenges, the clear need for coherent policy direction becomes increasingly evident, prompting questions about governance and accountability within the party.
