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All Kemi had at PMQs was jokes … and unfunny jokes at that | John Crace

Source: The Guardian World - Published: 11 Nov 2026 20:04

Even her own MPs were stony-faced as the Tory leader ran though her set list of gags from the budget to Russell BrandUK politics live – latest updatesWell, there was one person at least who thought Kemi Badenoch had absolutely nailed it at this week’s prime minister’s questions. And that person was Kemi Badenoch. She could not have been more pleased with herself if she had tried. No one laughed louder and longer at her own jokes than she did. No one admired her laser focus as much as she did. Kemi is the paid up chief executive of her own fanclub.As for the rest of her Tory MPs – aside from Chris Philp, who is basically a parasitic homunculus – they weren’t quite so convinced by Kemi’s performance. She had been so entranced with her one-liners, she had forgotten to ask any serious questions. And never forget how low the gag bar is in the Commons. What passes as a joke at PMQs wouldn’t even register as humour in normal conversation. Wouldn’t even elicit the groan that comes from the recognition of a gag format. Continue reading...