Farage struggles to lead a party that fits into back of a taxi – Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer has mocked Nigel Farage’s Downing Street ambitions by claiming the Reform UK leader struggles to lead a party that “fits in the back of a taxi”.
The Prime Minister’s remarks came as he sidestepped a question from Reform UK MP Lee Anderson on the possible impact on the Earth’s temperature if Britain achieved net zero emissions within 24 hours rather than by the 2050 target.
Mr Farage, the MP for Clacton, recently told The Times that there is a “good chance” of him becoming prime minister and put the odds at “about 35% to 45% at the moment”.
‘Waffle’
He has seen Reform’s numbers in the Commons decrease from five to four after Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe was suspended by the party amid accusations about his conduct, which he has strenuously denied.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Anderson (Ashfield) was heckled by Labour MPs as he said he attends the Commons every week to ask “sensible questions”.
Mr Anderson added: “I expect sensible answers but all I get is glazed expressions and waffle from the opposite benches.
“I want to ask the Prime Minister a very simple question on behalf of all the net zero sceptics: if we became net zero tomorrow by how much would we reduce the Earth’s temperature by? Simple question.”
‘Fawning’
Sir Keir replied: “Net zero is of course not easy but it’s a huge opportunity to boost our growth, our jobs and our economy and so he knows my views on that.
“But he complains – they’d have better ideas if they stop fawning over (Russian president Vladimir) Putin.
“And I understand the Member for Clacton wants to be prime minister, he can’t even lead a party that fits in the back of a taxi.”
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice could be heard shouting “rubbish” at Sir Keir’s response.
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Well, 30p did ask a stupid question. But he got a sensible answer.
His boss is on record for saying Co2 is safe, but the prize nugget was out his depth and he knew he was safe from being questioned where he said it. That and his leader akso attacked Zelenskyy.
Reform eh. Putin by the back door.
Where is farage anyway? Fund raising did I hear? Where? US? Oh well.
A trick question from Mr Anderson.
Net zero must be achieved by all major economies thereby delivering a combined effort to reduce carbon emissions on a global scale. Reducing carbon emissions by one country overnight would have little impact and even a combined effort would take some time to feed through before we saw any improvements. Perhaps Mr Anderson should take advice from Climate Scientists rather than Climate deniers! Reform is the party of Climate Change denial!
No Mr Tice, not ‘rubbish’. The back of a black cab seats 4 comfortably.