At today’s PMQs All Rhodes led to Rishi as Starmer was amusing, like actually funny. It was a borrowed joke, but don’t let that put you off.
The joke came after former Labour leader John Smith described John Major as the “man with the non-Midas touch” and went on to say: “It is no wonder that we live in a country where the Grand National does not start and hotels fall into the sea.”
Today Starmer referenced that famous speech when he told the PM: “It is ironic that he has suddenly taken such a keen interest in Greek culture when he has clearly become the man with the reverse Midas touch. Everything he touches turns to … maybe the home secretary can help me out here.”
Greece
The main exchanges covered immigration policy and Sunak’s row with the Greek PM, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, about the Parthenon marbles.
Sunak really struggled when trying to justify the Mitsotakis snub.
Starmer asked: “Never mind the British Museum, it’s the prime minister who has obviously lost his marbles.”
“The Greek prime minister came to London to meet him, a fellow Nato member, an economic ally, one of our most important partners in tackling illegal immigration.
“But instead of using that meeting to discuss those serious issues, he tried to humiliate him and cancelled at the last minute. Why such small politics, prime minister?”
PMQs: All Rhodes Lead To Rishi
Sunak bit back and denounced the Greek PM as someone who cannot be trusted.
Sunak said: “Of course, we’re always happy to discuss important topics of substance with our allies, like tackling illegal migration or indeed strengthening our security.
“But when it was clear that the purpose of a meeting was not to discuss substantive issues for the future, but rather to grandstand and relitigate issues of the past, it was inappropriate.
“Furthermore … when specific commitments and specific assurances on that topic were made to this country and then were broken, it may seem alien to him, but my view is when people make commitments they should keep them.”
War on reality
Starmer then shot back with: “I discussed with the Greek prime minister the economy, security, immigration, I also told him we wouldn’t change the law regarding the marbles. It’s not that difficult, prime minister.”
Sunak then accused the Labour leader of “backing an EU country over Britain.”
Starmer hit back: “The prime minister is now saying that meeting the prime minister of Greece is somehow supporting the EU instead of discussing serious issues. He’s just dug further into that hole that he’s made for himself. Rather than deal with the facts, he’s prosecuting his one-man war on reality.”
Watch
And his mic got cut off!
This was one of many reactions slamming the PM.
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