In the world of British politics, Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) is a moment for members of parliament to hold the Prime Minister to account, ask probing questions, and challenge the government on its policies. On January 15, 2025, Kemi Badenoch, the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, found herself at the center of the political spotlight during an intense session of PMQs. Badenoch, known for her outspoken approach and often combative stance in Parliament, took aim at a sitting Prime Minister who seemed vulnerable to scrutiny. However, despite a series of pointed questions, Badenoch missed her target with all six shots.
A Sitting Duck Prime Minister?
Prime Minister’s Questions are typically an event where the leader of the opposition, as well as other parliamentarians, can take advantage of perceived weaknesses in the government’s leadership. On this occasion, the PMQs session was particularly high-stakes due to ongoing challenges the Prime Minister’s office faced, including economic downturns, public discontent, and growing calls for reforms in healthcare and social policies.
While Prime Minister had endured several rounds of criticism in recent weeks, there was a sense within the government that the PM’s position was becoming increasingly secure. This confidence gave rise to a perception that the Prime Minister was now a “sitting duck” — vulnerable, but not quite toppled. In fact, many believed that Kemi Badenoch, with her reputation for sharp rhetoric and political acuity, would be one of the most capable voices challenging the government.
Yet, despite what seemed like a golden opportunity to take down a government on the ropes, Badenoch’s performance on the day fell short. She had a chance to strike hard at the Prime Minister’s weaknesses but instead left the session with a series of rhetorical misfires.
The Six Shots
Badenoch’s six attempts during PMQs were framed as direct challenges to the Prime Minister’s credibility, particularly focusing on issues like economic policy, inflation, and healthcare reforms. With each shot, Badenoch aimed to create an opening that could push the government into a defensive posture. However, each time, she missed the mark.
Shot 1: The Inflation Blame Game
Badenoch’s first shot targeted the Prime Minister’s handling of inflation. She raised questions about the government’s approach to inflation, which had remained persistently high, affecting ordinary families and businesses alike. While her question hit on a key issue — the burden of rising costs on everyday Britons — the response from the Prime Minister was a clear deflection. The Prime Minister simply reiterated their government’s plan to tackle inflation, pointing to past successes in stabilizing the economy and dismissing Badenoch’s concerns as hyperbole.
While the question was relevant, it lacked the depth needed to truly challenge the government’s narrative. As such, Badenoch’s first shot landed weakly and failed to make an impact.
Shot 2: The Healthcare Crisis
Next, Badenoch turned her attention to the ongoing healthcare crisis. With NHS waiting times at an all-time high and healthcare workers increasingly under strain, she attempted to make the case that the government had failed to meet its promises to provide better healthcare services.
However, once again, the Prime Minister’s response was both swift and effective. Instead of defending the government’s record, the Prime Minister pivoted to emphasize the record investment in the NHS and the ongoing reforms aimed at reducing wait times. The response was designed to neutralize the issue, leaving Badenoch with little to retort.
Badenoch’s second shot, aimed at the government’s inability to resolve one of the most pressing national issues, fell flat in the face of well-rehearsed talking points from the Prime Minister.
Shot 3: Economic Growth and Job Creation
Kemi Badenoch’s third question tackled the issue of economic growth and job creation. The country had been experiencing stagnation in terms of wage growth and job opportunities, and she questioned the government’s record on stimulating the economy.
This time, the Prime Minister responded with a focus on the government’s long-term strategy to invest in green technology, infrastructure, and international trade deals. The answer, though vague in parts, centered on a vision for future prosperity, positioning the government as forward-thinking and proactive.
While Badenoch’s question on economic stagnation was pressing, the Prime Minister’s answer once again sidestepped the immediate concerns, pushing a broader narrative that worked to shield the government from immediate accountability. Badenoch’s third shot simply didn’t hit hard enough to make a difference.
Shot 4: Social Care Reforms
As the fourth question came, Badenoch moved onto social care reforms, an area that had also seen its fair share of scrutiny. The Prime Minister was frequently lambasted for delays in social care policies, with the public outcry growing as elderly citizens faced long waits for care services.
Here, Badenoch’s criticism was more pointed, but once again, the Prime Minister’s response was quick to defend the government’s stance. He referred to the government’s long-term funding plan for social care, emphasizing that necessary reforms would take time to implement.
Rather than addressing the immediate dissatisfaction, the Prime Minister pivoted to a defense of the government’s broader vision for social care, and once again, Badenoch’s question missed its intended mark.
Shot 5: Cost-of-Living Crisis
By the time Badenoch reached her fifth question, the cost-of-living crisis was front and center in her mind. She questioned the Prime Minister’s plan to help people struggling to meet the rising costs of housing, energy, and basic goods.
The Prime Minister once again responded with a list of recent policies, including energy subsidies and housing initiatives aimed at stabilizing the market. While these responses were certainly relevant, they failed to address the root causes of the crisis, leaving Badenoch frustrated and without a solid argument to counter the government’s narrative.
Her fifth shot, while targeting a topic of great concern to the public, failed to gain any ground due to the Prime Minister’s deft handling of the issue.
Shot 6: National Security and Policing
Finally, Badenoch aimed her sixth question at the Prime Minister’s handling of national security and policing. In recent months, concerns about crime and public safety had been rising, with high-profile incidents of violence and gang-related activities making headlines.
Once again, however, the Prime Minister deflected with ease, emphasizing the government’s commitment to increased funding for policing and national security. With an air of confidence, the Prime Minister insisted that the country’s security was in safe hands, and Badenoch’s final question fizzled out in the face of a well-rehearsed response.
Why Did Kemi Badenoch Miss?
So, why did Kemi Badenoch miss all six of her shots? There are several factors at play here.
- The Prime Minister’s Strong Deflection Tactics: The Prime Minister appeared ready for the tough questions. Rather than becoming defensive, he focused on broad, positive messaging, diverting attention away from specific failures and deflecting blame onto external factors, such as global economic instability and long-term reform processes.
- Lack of Depth in Badenoch’s Questions: While her questions were certainly timely, they were often shallow or too generic. In a high-stakes PMQs, effective questioning requires not only identifying the issue but also pointing to the specific ways in which the government’s actions have failed to deliver real change. Badenoch’s inability to follow up with detailed challenges allowed the Prime Minister to dismiss her points with relative ease.
- The Sitting Duck Perception: While the Prime Minister may have appeared vulnerable, the reality was that his government had prepared for these attacks. Badenoch’s perception of the Prime Minister as a “sitting duck” seemed overly optimistic, and she underestimated the power of well-crafted responses designed to neutralize political pressure.
Conclusion
In the world of British politics, PMQs is a platform for robust debate, sharp questioning, and accountability. On January 15, 2025, Kemi Badenoch took her shot at an apparently vulnerable Prime Minister, but despite her efforts, each of her six questions missed the mark. While the session highlighted the ongoing frustrations with the government’s handling of critical national issues, Badenoch’s performance ultimately lacked the bite necessary to dislodge the Prime Minister’s strong defenses.
