In a lukewarm response to comments made during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Andy Burnham hit back at Kemi Badenoch after she described him as a “pair of eyelashes and a black T-shirt” while criticizing Labour’s leadership turmoil.After hours of debate in the House of Commons, Burnham posted a video clip on social media in which he appeared wearing a dark-colored shirt and batting his eyelashes exaggeratedly in front of the camera. He also corrected Badenoch’s description, quipping that the shirt was “dark blue, actually”.
Badenoch targets Burnham while attacking Labour
During a combative PMQ session dominated by the fallout from Keir Starmer’s resignation announcement, Badenoch accused Labor MPs of abandoning their leader.“They abandoned him and for what? Eyelashes and a black shirt,” she said, in an apparent reference to Burnham, before questioning whether Labour’s problems ran deeper than its leadership.The Conservative leader also launched a series of attacks on senior Labor figures, including Rachel Reeves, suggesting ministers have already turned their attention to the future leadership contest.
Burnham’s hilarious return
Burnham chose humor over direct refutation. In the video posted shortly after the PMQs, the Makerfield MP appeared to mock the criticism by taking a bow in the description, fluttering his eyelashes while wearing a dark-coloured T-shirt.
His response quickly drew attention online, with supporters praising the light-hearted approach and critics accusing Badenoch of resorting to personal attacks rather than addressing political issues.
The PMQs are dominated by a Labor succession battle
The exchange came after Starmer’s decision to step down. Labor MPs welcomed the outgoing Prime Minister with cheers as he entered the House of Commons, but the session was overshadowed by questions about the future leadership of the party.Badenoch has repeatedly sought to portray Labor as divided, while Starmer has defended his government’s record and his partnership with Reeves. He said the Labor Party had rebuilt itself after years of opposition and achieved a landslide election victory.
