With Tim Bakerpolitical reporter

A restless baby was looming over PMQs today.

Fortunately, those who participated in the discussion were not able to contribute to the proceedings.

But leaving aside the little boy in the visitors’ gallery who stared down at the weekly sparring match between his MPs and Sir Keir Starmer, the real topic of discussion was the re-election of Donald Trump.

Badenoch’s prank backfires

Kemi Badenoch, one of the winners of the recent election, appeared to be strolling through Parliament for the first time since taking over the Conservative Party.

It was no surprise that when he was last in town he decided to attack David Lammy and his “scatological” remarks about Trump.

Sir Keir’s somewhat rote response was less than convincing and Miss Badenoch had clearly smelled blood in the water.

However, their attempts to outwit the Prime Minister by criticizing his delivery of prepared answers failed, given that he read his questions from a cue card.

return fire

And when she had run out of six questions, the overwhelming majority of Labor MPs in the chamber, and presumably the questions they had posed, opened fire on Ms Badenoch.

The new Tory leader, known for his outspoken attitude, has been targeted for past statements he made on the minimum wage, autism, party gate and maternity pay.

His unhappiness was clearly visible from the opposition front benches, but he appeared to enjoy the support of MPs sitting behind him.

Former leadership rival James Cleverly was seen cheering heartily from the back of the Tory benches, but as he stood up to open his own broadside on HMS Starmer there were cynics from the Labor benches who suggested the one-time favorite should be elected. The leader of the opposition might be a better fit than Ms Badenoch.

Former prime minister Theresa May, sitting in the guest row next to one-time chancellor Norman Lamont, was the one who was a little more throaty in support but was seen nodding sagely from the rafters of the House of Commons.

Going back to the current prime minister, questions about farming, national insurance, university funding and small boats were reminders of issues still preoccupying the government.

Eventually, Trump’s specter appeared to have dispersed from SW1 and eyes in Westminster were focused on it again.