Badenoch challenges Starmer over Commons debate on Paris troop agreement

Independent.co reports that at Prime Minister’s Questions Kemi Badenoch pressed Keir Starmer on why he was not giving MPs a chance to question or immediately debate an agreement signed in Paris that could see British troops deployed to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping operation if there is a ceasefire.

Starmer opened with a lengthy preamble — a joke about Reform and Nigel Farage, a list of government achievements and the statement that “we will set out the details at the earliest opportunity” — and told MPs that “were troops to be deployed under the declaration signed, I would put that matter to the House for a vote”.

Conservatives reacted strongly, and Badenoch called it “frankly astonishing” that he was not making a statement, saying “he’s scared of us being able to ask questions” and suggesting he would skip PMQs if he could. Labour front‑benchers appeared demoralised, with Yvette Cooper and Rachel Reeves noted as looking as if they were wondering whether to resign.

Key Topics

Politics, Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch, British Troops, Paris, Ukraine