UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer ignited laughter, discomfort and political backlash in the House of Commons on Wednesday after delivering a controversial jibe at the Conservatives during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs). Responding to opposition attacks over Labour’s policy reversals, Starmer remarked that the Conservatives had “more positions in 14 years than the Kama Sutra,” a comment that drew stunned silence across the chamber and quickly dominated headlines.
The remark came as Starmer defended his government against accusations of repeated U-turns, following Labour’s decision to abandon plans to make digital ID cards mandatory for right-to-work checks in Britain. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch seized on the reversal, calling the proposal a “rubbish policy” and accusing the Prime Minister of inconsistency and poor governance.
Blimey. Did I really just hear Keir Starmer say this
— Peter Stefanovic (@PeterStefanovi2) January 14, 2026
“They had more positions in 14 years than the Kama Sutra. No wonder they are knackered and they left the country screwed”#PMQs pic.twitter.com/h12ePONGk2
As Badenoch listed what she described as Labour’s growing catalogue of policy changes, Starmer attempted to turn the attack back on the opposition by highlighting years of leadership turmoil and shifting ministerial roles under Conservative governments. His attempt at humour, however, appeared to fall flat, with MPs reportedly sitting in awkward silence as the comment landed.
Awkward Silence Follows PM’s Attempt At Humour
Opponents were quick to pounce, arguing the joke was ill-judged and inappropriate for a serious parliamentary debate. Critics said it showed a lack of sensitivity and a failure to engage substantively with policy concerns. Clips of the exchange spread rapidly on social media, with many users questioning why the Prime Minister resorted to flippancy rather than addressing the criticism head-on.
Political observers described the moment as emblematic of broader challenges facing Starmer’s leadership, suggesting the comment risked reinforcing perceptions of tone-deafness. One commentator described the silence in the Commons as “deafening,” adding that the episode was “less comedy, more discomfort.”
Critics Question PM’s Tone And Leadership
Earlier in the day, ministers confirmed that while the government was scrapping mandatory digital ID cards, digital right-to-work checks would still continue using alternative documentation such as biometric passports. Badenoch welcomed the reversal but questioned Labour’s competence, noting it came soon after Health Secretary Wes Streeting urged ministers to “get it right first time.”
Starmer defended the policy shift, insisting Labour remained committed to tackling illegal working. But it was his verbal attack on the Conservatives, also branding them the “Ikea shadow cabinet”, that overshadowed the debate.