In a surprising departure from his usual sober demeanour, Prime Minister Keir Starmer managed to land a genuine joke during the final Prime Minister's Questions of the year, creating a rare moment of levity in the Commons.
A Black Swan Event in the Chamber
The session witnessed what political sketch writers termed a 'black swan event': the Labour leader successfully delivering a witty remark that prompted authentic laughter from MPs across the house. This stood in stark contrast to the often forced, partisan guffaws that typically characterise the weekly showdown.
While observers noted Starmer's comic timing remains an area for development, the fact the joke connected at all was seen as a landmark. The Commons is notoriously unforgiving for attempted humour, with many gags dying on arrival. The Prime Minister's natural disposition is towards the literal and serious, a trait many welcomed after years of what they saw as clownish leadership under the Conservatives.
The Joke That Landed – And Its Target
The moment came during Starmer's opening monologue. After addressing serious matters including antisemitism, he offered seasonal goodwill before aiming a barb at Reform UK. "If mysterious men appear from the east, this time report it to the police," he advised, a clear reference to the party's past scandals involving alleged Russian connections.
The festive quip, playing on the biblical tale of the Three Wise Men, drew widespread mirth. Notably, however, Nigel Farage, the Reform leader, sat stony-faced in the Special Gallery above the government benches. He appeared unamused by the reference to past controversies involving his party's figures accepting money from individuals linked to the Kremlin.
Farage's Sulk and Further Barbs
The sketch suggested Farage's presence in the gallery, rather than on the floor, was due to a 'monumental sulk' over Commons rules that limit him to one question every six weeks. This perceived slight to his centrality is said to be a particular irritant for the Reform chief.
Emboldened, Starmer doubled down. Noting the rare appearance of Reform MP Sarah Pochin, he expressed hope she got the 'white Christmas' she desired—a cutting allusion to her past controversial remarks about diversity in advertising. He also used the season of forgiveness to suggest, following a Guardian report, that Farage might apologise to former schoolmates he allegedly racially abused. Farage's furious expression indicated no apology was forthcoming.
A Bloodless Endurance Contest
The remainder of the session was described as a 'bloodless endurance contest'. Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch and Starmer traded weak Christmas cracker-style puns to little effect. Badenoch attempted to attack Starmer over his recent comments on the 'levers of government' not working, but this was undermined by a government win on the Erasmus scheme announcement.
The session closed with Starmer highlighting infighting within the Conservative ranks, quoting their own shadow transport secretary's dismissal of most shadow cabinet colleagues as 'nonentities'. It was a final pointed note in a PMQs that will be remembered less for policy clashes and more for an uncharacteristic flash of prime ministerial wit.
