Carefree Keir Starmer mocks himself as Wes Streeting's allies look glum
On a big day in Westminster the Prime Minister seemed cool, while those who called for his head sat quietly
It is quite amazing that the King’s Speech - where the government sets out its agenda for the year - was a distraction, rather than the main event of the day.
The big moment came before King Charles III made the short journey from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords.
Wes Streeting had a meeting with Sir Keir Starmer in the morning where he was supposed to confront him on the rebellion going on.
Such a challenge could be embarrassing for a Prime Minister. Instead it was the Health Secretary who was left red-faced.
He was in and out of No10 inside 16 minutes, somewhat humiliated.
Not too long afterwards, but still before all the pomp and pageantry, reports emerged that Mr Streeting was going to resign on Thursday and would challenge the PM.
It was what everyone had been waiting for and reinforced that the King’s Speech was the least important part of the day.
Obviously no one had told Sir Keir what had happened as he looked care-free in the debate which followed.
He had a smile on his face, laughed at jokes and seemed genuinely contented.
He praised Labour MP Naz Shah’s new book, before adding: “Her list of endorsements is truly impressive, reaching well over 100 members.
“At last, a list that we could all get behind.”
He also teased Ms Badenoch - who did not look happy.
Sir Keir said: “Let me also thank the Leader of the Opposition for the usual warm and generous nature of her contribution. In difficult days, her input is always a ray of sunshine…
“Getting tips from her on how to win friends – this is from the party who previously called us orcs and goons. I am a Gooner and so, as usual, she is less than half right.
“But we do have one thing in common. Our parties both had tough results in the local elections last week. The difference is, she hasn’t noticed.”
Labour MPs laughed pretty heartily. You may have been fooled into thinking there was no civil war at all.
Perhaps the PM was in such a light-hearted mood because all eyes were on his Health Secretary, sat a few places to his left.
Mr Streeting was initially quite chipper as he entered the chamber. He laughed along to some jokes made by the Prime Minister.
But he sat for quite a lot of the session with his arms folded and was unhappy when the Conservative leader had a go at him.
Ms Badenoch said: “I suppose the Health Secretary has been a bit distracted lately, hasn’t he? He’s chuntering now, why don’t you just do your job? Do your job.”
Mr Streeting heckled her but the Tory leader continued.
“There’s no point in giving me dirty looks. We all know what he’s been up to,” she said.
Mr Streeting’s main Scottish supporters - former PPSs Alan Gemmell and Melanie Ward, as well as recently resigned health minister Zubir Ahmed - looked rather glum up the back.
They didn’t laugh much, even when MPs on both sides of the chamber were chuckling.
Perhaps they were worried Mr Streeting does not have the backing of enough MPs and their risk was all for nothing.
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