UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a sharp rebuttal to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch on Wednesday, rejecting her claim that he had acted on her advice regarding the reduction of the foreign aid budget.
In a pointed remark, Starmer criticized Badenoch’s political stance, labeling her as a “self-appointed saviour of Western civilisation”—a direct jab at her rhetoric.
Badenoch’s Claims on Foreign Aid and Defence Budget
During a parliamentary session, Badenoch asserted that the Prime Minister had acted on her suggestion to cut aid spending. She also questioned the discrepancies in the government’s defence budget figures.
“Over the weekend, I advised the Prime Minister to reduce the aid budget, and I am pleased to see that he followed my suggestion. It’s the fastest response I’ve ever received from him,” said Badenoch.
She further pointed out inconsistencies in the budget figures, stating, “Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced an additional £13.4 billion in defence spending. However, his defence secretary later claimed the increase is only £6 billion. Which figure is accurate?”
Starmer’s Sarcastic Response
Keir Starmer quickly dismissed Badenoch’s assertion, making it clear that her recommendation had no influence on his decision.
“I must disappoint the leader of the opposition—she was not a factor in my decision-making at all. I was so occupied over the weekend that I didn’t even come across her suggestion,” Starmer remarked.
Taking his critique a step further, he quipped, “She seems to have declared herself the saviour of Western civilisation. It appears to be a desperate attempt to stay relevant. If we analyze the numbers for this fiscal year compared to 2027/28, there is indeed a £13.4 billion increase—the most significant sustained defence spending surge since the Cold War.”
His statement was met with laughter in the House of Commons, with even Badenoch seen smiling at the exchange.
BBC News on UK Politics
READ ALSO:
Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp:
Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear:
Kindly Share:
Discover more from LMSINT STORE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
