Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer have been missing each other.
With busy respective schedules, including party conferences and trips abroad, the two just haven’t been able to get it together to do PMQs and, indeed, the last time they faced each other was 9 September when parliament returned from its summer recess.
Today the two party leaders were reunited, and had a spirited and (largely) respectful debate about what can be done to tackle extremism online and offline, in the wake of the tragic killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess.
And with the awful news setting a more sombre tone in the chamber than a usually rowdy occasion, how did they get on?
“I did start in a collegiate spirit, and I will continue in a collegiate spirit,” - Starmer, 9/10
Throughout the conversation, Starmer seemed keen to emphasise that he wanted to collaborate with the government, not oppose them, to ensure the Online Harms Bill - which sets out to tackle extremist content online - is strengthened.
He explained ways in which he thought it did not go far enough, and praised ways in which he thought it worked.
It was refreshing to see this atmosphere, though the word “collegiate” did start to lose all meaning, such was its overuse.
Starmer setting a different tone in HoC, a 'collegiate' tone and (calmly) pushes the PM back when the questions Labour's commitment to tough sentencing. “I really don’t want to descend to that kind of knockabout”. It's interesting approach, knocks wind out of PM's sails #PMQs
— Beth Rigby (@BethRigby) October 20, 2021
“We are willing to look at everything to strengthen the legislation” - Johnson, 9/10
It is not often we see Johnson capitulating to opposition demands and, for someone who appears to thrive by creating political division, it was again refreshing to see Punch and Judy retired for something far more united.
Interesting no vibe at #PMQs. Starmer repeating that he’s taking a “collegiate” approach, asking for things PM can’t really disagree with - and in doing so denying PM a grandstand and leaving him looking like he’s on the back foot.
— Mikey Smith (@mikeysmith) October 20, 2021
“That was one of the most important things this government passed, and that party opposed!” - Johnson, 0/10
However, it appeared that Johnson tired quickly of the “collegiate spirit” of the house and - looking flustered - got his trusty finger jabbing finger out again to slam Starmer for opposing parts of government legislation. Not the best look.
.@BorisJohnson says "in a collegiate fashion"...he urges Labour to stop opposing early release of prisoners.
— Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) October 20, 2021
PM said it twice, so clearly had a pre written uncollegiate script in his #PMQs file.
“After the week we’ve just had I really don’t want to descend to that kind of knock about” - Starmer, 9/10
And so, a composed Starmer quickly reset the tone and put Johnson in his place.
Credit to @Keir_Starmer for calling out the Prime Minister’s behaviour at #PMQs.
— Lisa Nandy (@lisanandy) October 20, 2021
“After the week we’ve had, I really don't want to descend to that kind of knock about”.
Online hate is a serious issue. It deserves a serious response.
“In which case it would be a fine thing if the opposition would withdraw their opposition to our measures” - Johnson, 3/10
Johnson said he was in favour of the - you guessed it - “collegiate spirit” but then pushed it once again and criticised Starmer for opposing measures to stop the early release of some prisoners.
Whether Johnson also realised how ridiculous asking the opposition to withdraw opposition sounded, we don’t know - but he needs to remember his is part of a two party chamber not a coalition, and if he likes coalitions so much, perhaps he should have wished to remain in Europe? They have a lot there...
Anyway.
Keir Starmer is right to demand criminal liability for directors of social media companies who allow content that incites terror and violence to spread through their platforms and urgent action. Not sure why the Prime Minister is responding with the usual Punch and Judy. #PMQs
— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) October 20, 2021
“We need to clean up the cesspit once and for all” - Starmer, 9/10
Starmer criticised “unaccountable social media companies” for their role in failing to control harm online and said the government and opposition need to work together to hold them to account.
Verdict
Watching this week’s PMQs was far more like peeking behind the scenes of an internal government meeting than the usual pantomime showboatery that we are used to.
The house was quiet and listened respectfully to each politician, discussed shortcomings and strengths of legislation and committed to changes - though there were times in which Johnson seemed out of his comfort zone with this approach and sought to slam Starmer for not supporting the government enough,
Nevertheless, it was refreshing to see a policy set out, scrutinised and resolutions for changes made and it provided a useful template for a compassionate mature politics that could, with political willing, be the legacy of this week’s tragic events.
It could, however, be a one week symbolic event, and we fear proceedings will regress to the norm next time.
Aside from that, it was interesting that Starmer dedicated the entirety of his questioning about extremism, given other issues on the political agenda - rising cases of Covid and allegations that Johnson broke his own rules over Christmas, for instance.
I may be wrong, but I don't think there was a single mention of COVID in #PMQs.
— Joe Pike (@joepike) October 20, 2021
Yesterday daily deaths hit their highest level since March 2021.
With UK’s weekly death rate three times the level of other major European nations it’s surprising covid not raised at #PMQs
— Peter Stefanovic (@PeterStefanovi2) October 20, 2021
Regardless, in honour of the collegiate spirit the pair set out, it is a draw. More of this, please.
