PM shows he's a natural at boring a room into a stupor
The Guardian
|December 16, 2025
An afternoon with Keir Starmer isn't necessarily people's idea of fun.
Sadly, for the select committee chairs who make up the liaison super-committee, they didn’t have the option of saying no. This was one of their unavoidable triannual encounters with the prime minister. Still, at least they all had the Christmas recess to look forward to at the end of the week. They would need a long lie-down.
To be fair, Starmer also gives the impression he would rather not spend the afternoon with himself. He has no trouble putting himself to sleep with his tortured use of English. Mind you, he isn't the first prime minister to have worked out that boring the committee to death is the best strategy. And it helps that he's a natural.
This story is from the December 16, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
BP announces its first female CEO as Auchincloss quits after just two years
BP's board has appointed its first female chief executive in a move to revive the oil company's fortunes, after ousting Murray Auchincloss less than two years into his role.
2 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
Government denies trying to break jailed pro-Palestine activists
The government is “not trying to break the bodies” of Palestine Action protesters on hunger strike, a minister has insisted, after a doctor said eight of the activists are dying.
1 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
England's hopes melt away in sun as Cummins glows with authority
Tourists teetering 158 behind after Australia captain leads fine bowling display by hosts
4 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
EU leaders race to reach deal on funding Ukraine
European Union leaders are racing to secure a funding deal for Ukraine that has been cast as a choice between “money today or blood tomorrow”, as Belgium comes under rising pressure over its opposition to a loan secured against Russia's frozen assets.
3 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
New Epstein photos show quotes from Lolita written on women
Images released before deadline for Department of Justice to publish files
3 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
Rayner memoir fuels leadership speculation
Angela Rayner is writing a memoir about her rise to become deputy prime minister and her subsequent fall from grace, the Guardian can confirm, in a move that will be seen as an attempt to set the narrative before any leadership contest.
3 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
Lyon’s wait for golden wickets is finally over
Going second on Australia’s all-time list, the off-spinner kept his cool on return as temperatures soared
3 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
Bank of England cuts interest rates to 3.75% in boost for economy
The Bank of England has cut interest rates by a quarter point, giving a pre-Christmas boost to the struggling UK economy, but a split vote among its rate setters pointed to continued concerns about inflation.
3 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
China introduces condom tax as it tries to boost birthrate
China is set to impose a value-added tax (VAT) on condoms and other contraceptives for the first time in three decades, as the country tries to boost its birthrate and modernise tax laws.
2 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
Kenyan vet Munyua bites back to neuter De Decker
The Kenyan debutant David Munyua created one of the biggest shocks in the history of the PDC World Darts Championship by beating the 18th seed, Mike De Decker.
1 mins
December 19, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size

