Overview
- Kemi Badenoch delivered a calmer, more confident performance, targeting Labour on energy bills, teacher recruitment, police numbers and NHS appointments lost to strikes.
- Keir Starmer hit back by highlighting 21 former Conservative MPs who have defected to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and by citing recent controversies involving Reform figures.
- A Liberal Democrat 10‑minute rule bill to pursue a customs union with the EU passed unexpectedly with support from 13 Labour MPs, including Meg Hillier.
- Starmer reiterated Labour’s manifesto commitment to stay out of the customs union and single market and warned that such a move would unravel the modest US trade deal.
- Backbench concerns over proposed limits on jury trials, including calls for a sunset clause raised by Karl Turner, went unanswered, leaving the issue unresolved into 2026.