During Prime Minister's Questions on June 24, 2026, Conservative minister Kemi Badenoch engaged in a heated exchange with Labour's Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary. Badenoch's remarks focused on Phillipson's performance, criticizing her as a "spiteful class warrior" and a "disaster" as Education Secretary.
Badenoch pointed to a recent opinion poll that reportedly found zero percent of teachers believed Phillipson was performing well. She also highlighted Phillipson's decision to impose VAT on independent schools, contrasting it with a reported decrease in teacher numbers in state schools. Badenoch suggested that appointing Phillipson was a misstep due to her perceived class-based agenda.
The exchange intensified as Badenoch also targeted other Labour figures, including Rachel Reeves and Ed Miliband. Badenoch accused Reeves of failing to attend Sir Keir Starmer's resignation speech while being willing to pose for a selfie with Andy Burnham. She also alluded to Miliband's past actions, suggesting he had betrayed those close to him by aligning with Burnham when "things became sticky."
Sir Keir Starmer, making his first Commons appearance since resigning, defended Phillipson, stating he was proud to have her in his Cabinet. However, Badenoch countered Starmer's defense by questioning why he was resigning if his government was doing well. She further criticized those she accused of undermining Starmer, referring to them as having "plunged '400 knives' into his back."
Reports suggest the verbal sparring continued after the formal PMQs session concluded, with the two women reportedly clashing further behind the Speaker's Chair. The Daily Mail described the encounter as a "thrilling and even dirtier bout" compared to previous exchanges involving Starmer and Badenoch, noting that Phillipson "has finally met someone who isn't frightened of her."