The new look actually-worth-watching PMQs is on parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/7b…
PM has developed a bad habit of accusing Starmer of being wrong or "ignorant of the facts" while desperately avoiding his question.
Blimey. Speaker threatens to ask Matt Hancock to leave the Chamber unless he stops interrupting Starmer.
Johnson getting very irritable. "His feigned ignorance really doesn't come very well." This man really does not like being on the backfoot.
Johnson: "I hope therefore he will abandon his slightly negative tone.
Starmer: "34,000 deaths is negative. Of course I'm going to ask about that and quite right too."
Starmer: "34,000 deaths is negative. Of course I'm going to ask about that and quite right too."
This is an extensive demolition of government policy.
If I was a Tory, I would be more worried by what is happening here than what happened last week.
Last week Johnson tried the colourful banter defence and it didn't work. But this time he is trying to demonstrate he gets the facts, and that is not working either, because he does not seem capable of it.
Very welcome move from Starmer to raise migrant care workers on the front line paying the NHS surcharge.
Johnson says he thought about this hard and is aware of carers who came from abroad "and frankly saved my life". But then basically says he won't do it.
Starmer disappointed. Says the fee is £400 a year. From Oct it goes up to £624. For care workers on living wage, that requires working for 70 hours. Quotes medical groups: "A gross insult to all of us who are serving this country at its time of need."
OK. Well, that's three for three. Not even close. Really quite a comprehensive pummelling from Starmer.
Notice the way he is much less modest on these now- fewer reminders that he'll support government where suitable. Replaced by an unmistakable sense of anger over govt response.
