Keir Starmer has issued an apology to Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Liz Saville-Roberts for what he now calls an “overly rude” response during a heated exchange at last week’s Prime Minister’s Questions.
The Labour leader had snapped back at Saville-Roberts after she accused him of abandoning his principles on migration in favour of focus group approval. In response to her challenge, Starmer retorted: “Yes, the belief that she talks rubbish.”
The remark drew criticism, including from within his own party.
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Labour peer Harriet Harman said the prime minister had missed an opportunity to explain his position and instead opted to “slap her down.”
She told the Electoral Dysfunction podcast: “I just think to call across the chamber, ‘you’re rubbish’ – I think a prime minister has the opportunity to be a bit more magisterial [than] that.”
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On Tuesday (May 20, 2025), Starmer addressed the matter in the Commons, opening a response to Saville-Roberts with a rare personal apology.
“I think last week I was overly rude and I apologise. I do respect the honourable member,” he said.
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Saville-Roberts welcomed the apology and noted the difference in tone from the previous week.
“The chamber is a better place for people admitting their mistakes,” she said, while also describing Starmer’s earlier comments on immigration as “divisive.”
The initial clash came after Starmer made remarks warning the UK risks becoming “an island of strangers” — a phrase that has sparked concern among progressives and immigration advocates.
His Tuesday appearance was notably more measured, with an emphasis on neighbourliness and constructive EU relations.
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One might reasonably conclude that the apology was, at least in part, a response to the political fallout.
Whether pressure from commentators, party colleagues, or even critical media like Vox Political contributed to Starmer’s change of tone is open to interpretation — but the shift is telling.
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Starmer apologises to Plaid MP after Commons clash
Keir Starmer has issued an apology to Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Liz Saville-Roberts for what he now calls an “overly rude” response during a heated exchange at last week’s Prime Minister’s Questions.
The Labour leader had snapped back at Saville-Roberts after she accused him of abandoning his principles on migration in favour of focus group approval. In response to her challenge, Starmer retorted: “Yes, the belief that she talks rubbish.”
The remark drew criticism, including from within his own party.
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Labour peer Harriet Harman said the prime minister had missed an opportunity to explain his position and instead opted to “slap her down.”
She told the Electoral Dysfunction podcast: “I just think to call across the chamber, ‘you’re rubbish’ – I think a prime minister has the opportunity to be a bit more magisterial [than] that.”
Buy Cruel Britannia in print here. Buy the Cruel Britannia ebook here. Or just click on the image!
On Tuesday (May 20, 2025), Starmer addressed the matter in the Commons, opening a response to Saville-Roberts with a rare personal apology.
“I think last week I was overly rude and I apologise. I do respect the honourable member,” he said.
Get my free guide: “10 Political Lies You Were Sold This Decade” — just subscribe to our email list here:
👉 https://voxpoliticalonline.com
Saville-Roberts welcomed the apology and noted the difference in tone from the previous week.
“The chamber is a better place for people admitting their mistakes,” she said, while also describing Starmer’s earlier comments on immigration as “divisive.”
The initial clash came after Starmer made remarks warning the UK risks becoming “an island of strangers” — a phrase that has sparked concern among progressives and immigration advocates.
His Tuesday appearance was notably more measured, with an emphasis on neighbourliness and constructive EU relations.
We’re there already! Thanks to amazing supporters, we’ve reached this month’s £50 goal to fund independent research and reporting.
How much further can we go? The more we receive, the more we can do.
If you value fearless political journalism that holds the powerful to account, please chip in today. Even £2 helps keep Vox Political running strong.
👉 Support us here: https://ko-fi.com/voxpolitical
One might reasonably conclude that the apology was, at least in part, a response to the political fallout.
Whether pressure from commentators, party colleagues, or even critical media like Vox Political contributed to Starmer’s change of tone is open to interpretation — but the shift is telling.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Be among the first to know what’s going on! Here are the ways to manage it:
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (bottom right of the home page). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
5) Follow Vox Political writer Mike Sivier on BlueSky
6) Join the MeWe page at https://mewe.com/p-front/voxpolitical
7) Feel free to comment!
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
Cruel Britannia is available
in either print or eBook format here:
The Livingstone Presumption is available
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Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
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