TWITTER users have reacted to Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer's first PMQs, with many saying the PM is "nothing" without the support of his fellow Tory MPs.
The new Labour leader told Johnson it was “good to see him back in Parliament” and then swiftly highlighted figures showing at least 29,427 deaths in the UK are connected to coronavirus.
He told the Commons: “It’s now the highest number in Europe. It’s the second highest in the world. That’s not success or apparent success.
“So can the Prime Minister tell us how on earth did it come to this?”
Johnson replied: “Every death is a tragedy and he’s right to draw attention to the appalling statistics, not just in this country but across the world.”
Here are the best responses to the exchange:
1.
Is it just me or did Boris just get eviscerated by Keir Starmer at #PMQs ?
— Rachel Cunliffe (@RMCunliffe) May 6, 2020
2.
Very calm concise and methodical questioning from @Keir_Starmer on highest death rate from #coronavirus in Europe, Care home deaths, PPE, and Testing. We need answers and action from the PM to these questions #PMQs
— 🌈 Angela Rayner 🌈 (@AngelaRayner) May 6, 2020
3.
Calm, confident and devastating first question from Keir Starmer in his first #PMQs with Boris Johnson.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) May 6, 2020
The UK now has the highest official covid-19 death toll in Europe and the second highest in the world.
"How on earth did it come to this?"pic.twitter.com/adPdK2ReyD
4.
Keir Starmer is going to grout Boris Johnson across the House of Commons floor every at every single #PMQs. The difference in approach between Starmer’s grown up forensic evidence based approach and Johnson’s lack of detail and bluster is already noticeable.
— James Melville (@JamesMelville) May 6, 2020
5.
I’ve a lot of issues with Starmer since he became leader, but credit where it’s due, this is better. https://t.co/wnx58Usa7t
— Tariq Jenner 🩺 🚑 (@tariqjenner) May 6, 2020
6.
I don’t think I can ever remember a Prime Minister being late for PMQs. The man has total contempt for Parliament.
— ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@campbellclaret) May 6, 2020
7.
PMQs is much better in its current format. Much easier to see who is struggling when they don't have the get out of summoning a sycophantic crowd of braying fan-MPs.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) May 6, 2020
8.
‘Just having a target isn’t a strategy.’ Starmer is beyond anger at #PMQs. Johnson is beyond caring.
— Tim Walker (@ThatTimWalker) May 6, 2020
9.
Boris Johnson at #pmqs without scientific advisors to answer for him is like a child having the stabilisers taken off his bike and crashing straight into a hedge
— end of daves ❄️ 🥕 🧻 (@davemacladd) May 6, 2020
10.
Very calm concise and methodical questioning from @Keir_Starmer on highest death rate from #coronavirus in Europe, Care home deaths, PPE, and Testing. We need answers and action from the PM to these questions #PMQs
— 🌈 Angela Rayner 🌈 (@AngelaRayner) May 6, 2020
11.
Everyone needs to watch this compilation of Boris Johnson’s blustering & evasive return to PMQS today to truely understand why UK media can longer give this Government a free pass. They must be held to account for their failures & mistakes pic.twitter.com/W5unueVi6W
— Peter Stefanovic (@PeterStefanovi2) May 6, 2020
12.
Boris Johnson's attempt at #PMQs to undermine international comparisons of Coronavirus death figures - despite the government having provided this information itself at its daily press conferences - is a desperate attempt to distract people from the government’s own failures.
— Richard Burgon MP (@RichardBurgon) May 6, 2020
13.
Johnson needs the laughter and the audience, he's nothing without it. He's a clown. He always has been #pmqs
— Jack Caramac (@JCaramac) May 6, 2020
14.
I find myself wondering if Carrie was induced so Johnson could have some more time off.
— Helen the Zen 🏴 (@helenmallam) April 29, 2020
Then I laugh because that’s absurd.
Then I find myself wondering if Carrie was induced so Johnson could have some more time off. #PMQs
15.
At #PMQs I said the government should follow Denmark's lead & refuse emergency state aid to companies based in tax havens.
— Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) April 29, 2020
Dominic Raab dismissed this as "partisan baggage".
Says a lot, really: To the Conservatives, making the super-rich pay their fair share is unthinkable.
16.
Get the feeling that Boris Johnson will take his full paternity leave in 30 minute chunks every Wednesday between 12.00 and 12.30. #PMQs
— Peter Smith (@Redpeter99) April 29, 2020
17.
"It’s far too early to make international comparisons,” on the coronavirus, says Dominic Raab, whose government releases a chart showing global comparisons on the coronavirus, every single day. #PMQs
— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) April 29, 2020
18.
Dominic Raab turning arrogance, complacency and a hugely patronising tone into a new art form
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) April 29, 2020
And his passive aggressive repetition of “can I gently say” does nothing to disguise his evasion, deception & discomfort #PMQs
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