LONDON — Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, was reprimanded by Speaker Lindsay Hoyle for her language during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday. Badenoch accused Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson of being a "spiteful class warrior" and stated that Prime Minister Keir Starmer had "400 knives stuck in his back." Hoyle intervened following the remarks, calling for more decorum. "Let us think about the language we use. Because when we leave this chamber, don't be surprised when constituents feel they can use the same language. Let us show a little bit more decorum and respect," Hoyle said.

During the session, Badenoch commented on Phillipson's appointment as education secretary, saying it "was a disaster." She alleged that Phillipson had "taxed private schools to pay for more teachers, but the number of teachers has gone down." Badenoch also stated that Labour MPs were "cheering so loudly with their 400 knives stuck in [Starmer's] back" and added, "They don't like it up them, but they know what I'm saying." As members left the chamber, Badenoch told Phillipson, "You are spiteful. I will keep talking about how spiteful you are." She also said, "I'll fight you all the way. You're destroying children's lives." Liz Kendall, the Technology Secretary, told Badenoch, "What you said was absolutely outrageous."

In a social media post, Badenoch wrote, "'I grew up on a council estate' is not an excuse for failure. You are sacrificing the future of generations of kids on the altar of your class envy – reversing even Labour's academy reforms." A spokesperson for Badenoch stated she would not apologize for the comments made in the chamber. Bridget Phillipson experienced childhood poverty growing up in the north-east of England. Labour policy will apply 20% VAT to private school fees from the start of 2025.