PMQs: Sunak holds back on Starmer in awkward exchanges as roles are reversed

Conservative leader Rishi Sunak helped ease Sir Keir Starmer into his first Prime Minister's Questions, holding back from outright attacks as he focused his questions on Ukraine.

The former prime minister made a joke at his own expense about not winning before launching into Sir Keir's position on supporting Ukraine in a series of awkward exchanges showing the two men being overly polite to one another.

#pmqs #ukpolitics #sunak #starmer

[arsenalf.c]

All of a sudden Rishi looks like a new person all together.

[hannacook]

Hats off
He lost, and deserved to lose
But he did it with style and dignity

[steinmcgale]

What's awkward about this? For once it's a sensible exchange without the childish insults from both sides. The only awkward thing is the video title from Sky News, is embarrassing.

[BugattiBoy]

Nothing seems awkward? Seems like a functioning parliament... Meanwhile in America...

[rr.in.the.cosmos]

Sunak is apparently happier as a MP rather than as a PM.

[DavidFerriday]

It's refreshing to see politicians behaving something other than a MW2 Lobby from 2009.

[Spray_UK]

nice to see a PMQ where both sides have respect for eachother

[BIueVision]

Kinda wholesome to see them working together.

[nathanstake]

Bloody hell. Can’t stand either of them but what a refreshing change of pace to see a peaceful and polite exchange

[amirkarim]

We need more PMQs like this - the British Public need to see a strong parliament where cross party consensus on basic common sense topics that they should be aligned on is logical without the childish politcking

[Cayles]

I dont find it awkward at all. It's refreshing. I think being leader of the opposition suits Sunak better than being the prime minister ever did.

[bekonse]

Sunak showing how a leader of opposition should

[reaceness]

This is what PMQs should always be like: Civil, respectable, and productive. We don't need the theatrics and the vindictiveness which has become standard in our UK politics. We aren't America. PMQ's is not about embarrassing and humiliating the other side, it is about holding the leadership to account, uncovering their plans, and provoking actions on matters which matter to us. It might not be "exciting" or "theatrical", but it's just grown up. More of this.

[striker]

Rishi did a fantastic job of stepping down gracefully and peaceful transfer of power. He will be back after the reset of undoing his predecessors and start a clean sheet when he is back as PM - he sounds like one here.

[Dunkiep]

"Holds back" translates to "being nice and cooperative"

[kob]

Can the Tories just not bother with their leadership election? Rishi’s a breath of fresh air as leader of the opposition. Shudder to think what the likes of Badenoch or Patel would be like.

[rinaldoselvanathan]

poor Rishi - he became the whipping boy for the conversatives and he's clearly got no fight in him left....he wants out as soon as...

[guptanaveeen]

That's how a leader of the opposition should behave. Raise real issues and challenge the ruling government and ensure country comes first. There is no hold back in it and i am sure he will set an example of being an opposition leader.

[JustKeepGamingYouTube]

Isnt it nice when people get along? Much more focus on important matters and not insulting each other.

[illusiveeventsrecords]

What a pleasant and refreshing discussion. I hope this is the new energy with British politics but I doubt it'll last long