The countdown to Christmas in Westminster brought an unusually sharp exchange in the Commons as Keir Starmer faced his last Prime Minister’s Questions before the festive break.
The Labour leader was told in no uncertain terms that many of his own MPs are quietly hoping for “a new leader” to take the reins, highlighting growing unrest within the party.
Kemi Badenoch Takes Aim at the Prime Minister
Conservative frontbencher Kemi Badenoch didn’t hold back, seizing the moment to lampoon the Prime Minister over Labour’s internal troubles.
She accused Starmer of blaming everyone but himself for his difficulties, cracking: “All his MPs want for Christmas is a new leader,” eliciting laughter from the chamber.
Badenoch also took aim at what she described as Starmer’s excuses over “faulty levers” in government and mocked his inability to stand up to unions, adding: “The Prime Minister promised economic growth, but the only thing that’s grown is his list of broken promises.”
Starmer Defends His Record
The Prime Minister pushed back, pointing to employment figures and claiming progress: “350,000 more people in work this year. We’ve got the lowest inactivity rate for five years.”
But the row continued, with Badenoch firing back with sharp jabs about rising unemployment, youth joblessness, and broken tax promises, calling Starmer “the undertaker prime minister” rather than caretaker.
Even the SNP joined in the parliamentary banter, with Stephen Flynn provoking laughter by asking how Starmer planned to spend his “last” Christmas in Number 10, reflecting the tense mood of the Commons as Labour’s political position appears increasingly precarious.
Alarming Polls Show Labour’s Weakness in Wales
Fresh YouGov polling has amplified the pressure on Starmer.
In Wales, Labour appears on track for a historic low in next May’s local elections, with Plaid Cymru leading on 33% and Reform UK close behind on 30%.
Labour would languish at just 10%, level with the Tories and a single point ahead of the Greens—potentially its worst showing since the Senedd system began 26 years ago.
The upcoming election will also feature an expanded assembly of 96 members, up from 60, with new constituencies and voting arrangements adding further uncertainty.
Plaid are projected to take 39 seats, Reform 34, and Labour just 10.
Conservatives, Greens, and Liberal Democrats are all expected to have minimal representation.
Welsh Parties Paint Contrasting Futures
Plaid Cymru’s team framed the contest as a stark choice for Wales: continuity of Labour-style governance versus a new direction rooted in local priorities.
“People are tired of broken promises,” a Plaid spokesman said, emphasizing healthcare, public services, and family support as key pillars of their campaign.
Reform UK echoed the call for change but cast themselves as the alternative to both Labour and Plaid, warning against what they describe as “extreme policies” from Cardiff Bay insiders.
Both parties are positioning themselves as the challengers to the status quo, highlighting the high stakes for Labour in the upcoming elections.
A Party at a Crossroads
With infighting, negative polling, and mounting criticism, Labour enters the festive break under significant pressure.
MPs’ Christmas wish for a new leader, combined with shifting electoral landscapes in Wales, underscores the challenges Starmer faces in maintaining party unity and public confidence.
The next few months will be crucial in determining whether Labour can regroup or face a historic electoral setback.
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