Starmer pays tribute to Sunak’s ‘decency’ at start of Tory leader’s final PMQs
Keir Starmer starts by thanking Rishi Sunak for his service. They have had disagreements, and argued at some length. But he wants to thank him for his commitment to public service, his hard work and his decency, he says.
Key events
Sunak says it is Diwali, and he says he is proud to have been the first British Asian PM. He is also proud of the fact that people did not regard that as a big deal. He asks if Starmer agrees that this is revealing about “the kindness, decency and tolerance that has always been the British way”.
Starmer agrees. He says he meant it when he said everyone was proud to see him become PM. He again notes that this is Sunak’s last PMQs, but he jokes that given the speed at which the Tories are getting through leaders, he could be back again.
Sunak says he is particularly grateful for the support Starmer offered over Ukraine, and he urges Starmer to continue with that, and with backing Nato. Again, Starmer agrees, saying Nato was a Labour creation.
Now they are agreeing even more. Sunak stresses the importance of Northern Ireland, and urges Starmer not to neglect it. Starmer says Northern Ireland is a personal cause for him too, because of the work he did there on policing as a lawyer.
Sunak asks about another of his passion, cricket, and urges the government to back an initiative to promote the sport in schools. Starmer agrees.
And Sunak turns to another of his pet causes, artificial intelligence. He urges Starmer to embrace his inner tech bro. Starmer is happy to embrace that too.
Rishi Sunak starts by thanking Hoyle and Starmer for his words.
He says, as PM, he always liked the pre-budget PMQs, because he was just the warm-up act.
He says he will be spending more time in the greatest place on earth, where the scenery is fantastic and the place is full of characters. He is talking about his consitutency in Yorkshire, he says (not California, where he also has a home, and where people think he might at some point go to to live.)
He says he is looking forward to doing the Yorkshire coastal path walks, and asks for a meeting, as a backbencher, with the PM to discuss it.
Starmer agrees. He jokes he thought Sunak might ask him to join the walk too.
Starmer pays tribute to Sunak’s ‘decency’ at start of Tory leader’s final PMQs
Keir Starmer starts by thanking Rishi Sunak for his service. They have had disagreements, and argued at some length. But he wants to thank him for his commitment to public service, his hard work and his decency, he says.
Hoyle also says this will be Rishi Sunak’s final PMQs as Tory leader. He has spoken in the Commons as chancellor, PM and leader of the opposition. He says MPs look forward to his further contributions.
That causes some laughter. There have been persistent rumours that Sunak will stand down as an MP at some point soon – claims that Sunak’s aides have denied.
Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker, starts by telling MPs that the sub judice rules will apply to any questions about the Southport killings. It is vital that nothing is said in the Commons that might prejudice a trial, or lead to it being abandoned, he says.
He says MPs want to see justice done for the families of the three young girls killed. Things said in the Commons could seriously prejudice proceedings, he says. He says he will not lift the normal sub judice rules, he says.
He says he will ensure MPs can questions ministers about this case after the trial is over. He expects it to start in January, he says.
Keir Starmer has taken his seat for PMQs. Rishi Sunak came in a few minutes ago.
But on the Labour benches, they did have to queue up early for a seat, Kate Ferguson from the Sun on Sunday says.
Labour MPs were queueing up from 830am this morning to get a good seat on the green benches to see Rachel Reeves’ first budget. That is 3 hours before doors open and 4 hours before the Budget I’m trying to find out who was the keen bean at the front of the queue
MPs can reserve a seat in the chamber by inserting a prayer card at the start of the day. They don’t have to sit there for three hours.
