Starmer faces scrutiny row amid claims of attempt to curtail PMQs

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing mounting political pressure following claims that Labour sought to shorten next week’s parliamentary schedule, a move critics argue could have limited his exposure to Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs).

According to parliamentary sources, Labour whips explored the possibility of concluding Commons business earlier than planned ahead of prorogation on April 29. The proposal would have reduced the likelihood of another weekly PMQs session, where Sir Keir has recently come under sustained pressure from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.

However, the effort appears to have stalled after resistance from the House of Lords, where peers declined to accelerate the passage of several outstanding government bills. A source indicated that concerns over pending legislation—including measures related to social media regulation and pensions—outweighed any desire to expedite proceedings.

As a result, the Prime Minister is now expected to face further questioning in the Commons next week.

Tensions in the chamber

The scheduling controversy follows a heated exchange during Wednesday’s PMQs session, in which Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle intervened to urge the Prime Minister to address questions more directly.

“Prime Minister, it’s Prime Minister’s Questions. We’ve got to concentrate,” the Speaker said, in a rare public admonition.

Witnesses later described a tense encounter between Sir Keir and the Speaker after proceedings concluded, with one MP claiming the Prime Minister appeared visibly frustrated. Downing Street has not publicly commented on the exchange.

The Speaker’s office subsequently confirmed that officials had reminded the Government on multiple occasions in recent weeks about the importance of adhering to proper parliamentary conduct.

Opposition criticism intensifies

The incident has provided fresh ammunition for Conservative critics. During Business Questions on Thursday, Shadow Commons Leader Jesse Norman accused the Prime Minister of repeatedly failing to address questions posed by the opposition.

He claimed that in the overwhelming majority of recent exchanges, Sir Keir had “ignored the question and changed the subject”, describing the pattern as “a shameful record” and calling for a formal apology to the Speaker.

Mr Norman further characterised the Prime Minister’s conduct as “contemptuous” towards both the Chair and fellow MPs.

Political implications

While adjustments to the parliamentary timetable are not uncommon in the run-up to prorogation, opposition figures have framed the reported proposal as an attempt to avoid scrutiny.

Government sources, however, suggest the discussions were primarily driven by legislative pressures and the need to manage a congested parliamentary agenda before the King’s Speech scheduled for May 13.

With the Lords unwilling to fast-track key bills, the Commons timetable is now expected to proceed largely as planned—ensuring that the Prime Minister will once again face questions at the despatch box in the coming week.