Keir Starmer has criticized the Conservative Party during Prime Minister’s Questions for attempting to advise the Government on doctors’ strikes. The Prime Minister, in his final exchange with Kemi Badenoch in 2025, condemned the five-day strike by NHS resident doctors as “irresponsible” and urged medical professionals not to neglect patients. Starmer pushed back against the Tory leader’s stance, highlighting the Conservatives’ history of overseeing a significant number of strike days.
During the session, the Prime Minister made a Christmas joke at the expense of Reform UK, mocking the party’s former leader in Wales for allegedly accepting Russian bribes. Starmer humorously advised members of Reform UK to report any suspicious gifts from mysterious individuals to the police.
In another exchange, Starmer addressed Nigel Farage, referring to him as the “member for Clacton relaxing in the lounge,” and indirectly alluded to allegations of racism from Farage’s former classmates. The Prime Minister also issued an ultimatum to Roman Abramovich, urging the former Chelsea owner to fulfill his promise of donating £2.5 billion from the club’s sale to support Ukraine.
The session also touched upon issues such as unemployment rates, government support for job security at the Grangemouth ethylene plant, and the ongoing doctors’ strike due to disputes over pay and job security. Additionally, it was announced that the UK would rejoin the EU’s student exchange program, Erasmus, benefiting British students seeking educational opportunities in Europe. Andrea Egan’s election as Unison General Secretary, defeating incumbent Christina McAnea, posed a challenge for Starmer, potentially impacting Labour’s National Executive Committee.
Overall, the Prime Minister’s Questions session covered a range of topics from political banter and serious policy discussions to international relations and domestic issues, reflecting the diverse concerns facing the UK at the time.