Full exchange: Keir Starmer grills Rishi Sunak over Elgin Marbles row at PMQs

Watch the full exchange as Keir Starmer grilled Rishi Sunak over Elgin Marbles row at the PMQs on 29 November.
In his opening remarks, the Labour leader joked: "In an effort to hide from his failures, the Prime Minister spent this week arguing about an ancient relic that only a tiny minority of the British public have any interest in - Mr Speaker, that’s enough about the Tory Party."
The Elgin Marbles have been the centre of much discussion after Rishi Sunak cancelled a meeting with the Greek prime minister in which Kyriakos Mitsotakis was planning to discuss their return.
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[@sopsoE]

The childish behaviour against the Greek PM demonstrates a huge lack of judgement.

[@snizami]

I hate how the opposition leader often lets us know he'd also take the wrong positions on issues except that he'd do it... i don't know... in a more PM-like manner or something. It's so depressing to see primary alternatives to the worst leaders also being such uninspiring and unprincipled.

[@gavinburdge1615]

Sunak sits there pretending to read his file, he doesn't care about anyone but himself and his rich mates. Will attack the opposition on topics but doesn't realise his government has been in power for 13 years. Pathetic excuse of a PM. Starmer is a leader in waiting

[@_nske]

Greek here, living in the UK for over a decade, so obviously I care a lot about both countries. The parthenon sculptures is an old matter, important for Greece but definitely not a top priority compared to other matters. Obviously even less important for the UK. But here's what should definitely be important for the UK: the lack of leadership or diplomatic skills of our PM, because these apply to everything else as well. No matter how you look at this, this was a big and unnecessary blunter that showed unfounded arrogance and political stupidity. Continuing with the meeting would have cost nothing and could bring something for any of the items on the agenda -their political ideas are actually in tune for most other subjects. Worst case it would bring nothing about anything, as most meetings -and no harm done. Instead he chose to handle it the worst possible way, made headlines in a negative manner, along it pulled more headlines about the very subject that he intended to keep quiet on the shelf, created some tension with a historically and consistently friendly country that might not be big and powerful but it's not irrelevant either, also a country that gets to vote for any EU-UK agreement, gave the chance to his political opposition to point his irrational behaviour and probably caused an eyebrow raise to the hundreds of thoursands Greek and Cypriots here in the UK like me (many of which are also voters). All while his party is 20% behind the opposition in the latest Vote Intent opinion polls. British politicians used to be smarter than that, not sure what happened.

[@tobiwan001]

Starmer wiped the floor with him.

[@neelamacwan7670]

Starmer is a disgrace

[@snizami]

"I wouldn't change anything either but I'd be 'better' about how I'd do it"

[@comradeozzbug]

Good PMQ’s by Starmer today. A good one in a long while. Every point was poignantly made and delivered, exposing the pathetic comebacks

[@snizami]

Why is it so difficult for an Opposition Leader to meaningfully oppose incorrect Tory positions? I don't understand the big fuss he's making while affirming that he would also refuse to return the Parthenon marbles. What, he'd just be more poised or PM-like or whatever in how he'd ultimately take the wrong position on issues?

[@harveymadelin7938]

​@@snizamiwell yes the difference is this pm is weak and has no balls

[@snizami]

I don't care much for that if a leader still ends up doing the wrong thing. Actually... especially if they end up doing the wrong thing.@@harveymadelin7938

[@paulmckenna9074]

The faces on the Tory benches say it all..😂

[@hunniieable]

This government is shameful. They behaviour like little children. You couldn’t get away with the behaviour we see our so called leaders doing in any other job

[@AKhan-ku9ut]

Talking about all the important things, whilst people die because of their actions!

[@Yanto260272]

All pantomime and bollox nothing gets done unless they want it done and then laws can change in 15 minutes get the both of those clowns out of parliament! This is our lives they are ‘playing’ with and I for one am utterly sick of it!!!

[@neilevans4352]

i was just going to reply then i scrolled down and you had done it for me lol, its a joke, i watch other parliemants in action and they debate and actually talk like adults westminsters like a football game who can make the best insult and more importantly who can scream loudest.

[@deborahscott6005]

Well, of course that's the most important topic of the day. Forget excess deaths, collapse of our whole health care system, growth etc..

[@chatham43]

....and the disastrous lockdown.....absolutely right!

[@colinpenaluna9268]

Starmer goes on about migration to the UK Labour have Stated that they will Cut it down to 200,000 But haven't stated How Plus labour wants more safe routes so how many more wil come

[@Dylan_2333]

What a joke the Tory party has become 😂😂😂

[@wsdraper]

The lot of them are a joke

[@lD-cf9mf]

What a joke the entirety of parliament has become.

[@chatham43]

....and you wouldn't want it any other way....excellent post,.!

[@stephenparkes9543]

Now they resort to playing a game of Marbles.

[@Chris1553]

This can't go on, Sunak is a disaster, for charisma bypass Starmer to wipe the floor with him, it's getting serious for this country !

[@lD-cf9mf]

🤡

[@whoeverthis.itaintme.9873]

Not voting Labour, cannot forgive him for his support for the apartheid state.

[@harveymadelin7938]

​@@whoeverthis.itaintme.9873condemn hamas then

[@ryanbamfordslife9650]

Guy Fawkes time

[@jefolson6989]

I wish our congress and senate were more like this. Intelligent debate and participation by all in a rowdy but fun way. How would MTG and Boebert fare in this setting? They'd be correctly shouted down for the fools that they are. They dont have anything like the vocabulary or command of English to even stand up. But they would. It would be a smack down delightful to behold.

[@tatata1543]

It’s all just a show, it’s pathetic.

[@jefolson6989]

@tatata1543 of course. But its a much better show than we get in the US. They could at least try to be entertaining. We have to settle for stupidity.

[@tatata1543]

@@jefolson6989 Their job is to govern , not ‘entertain’. Johnson was an entertainer, he’s the reason we are in the mess we are in.

[@bethanp3453]

​@@tatata1543Agree. Real leaders don't have time to peacock. They're too busy working. This isn't entertaining it's just incredibly dorky.

[@mentalillness1574]

God I wish we had Congress debates like the British do in Parliament. Imagine George Santos in that (before he got expelled lol)

[@bakedcheese187]

senior somewhere else and the amount of people that is actually in parliament is pretty disgraceful considering how much it costs in wages

[@davidlancaster4476]

can't wait for labour to get into no. 10, what with rachel reeves struggling on £86, 000 a year (£1650 per week) when her income doesn't match her outgoings. if labour then tax the rich ? to pay for higher paid public servants she will be even worse off, but she is a public servant so maybe she'll get the pay rise she needs and deserves, interesting.

[@dexocube]

Amusing if nothing else

[@lD-cf9mf]

God help not so great Britain.

[@sreeram483]

Name a quote of Shakespeare

[@martincheeseman5809]

Born a billionaire Sunac really gives me the pip move over Richest man in the Uk and bugger off!

[@sreeram483]

The appraisal of many features been seen and proclaimed as greatness is just from that. I have also.been family that served English education and how to make a voice for name change of country India.

[@ravenheart369]

How much is the ticket to circus?

[@LplusRatioplusNobodyCares]

“Grills”

[@davyirvine3951]

the country is in a mess and they fight over some dam marble😡

[@snizami]

While both of them basically say they don't plan on returning them. Sucks that y'all will survive the Tories for so long just to hand power to another bunch of status-quo/ruling-class defending neo-libs.

[@user-kn7up6of2x]

Did you know Rishi bought £300m worth of Maderna shares just before covid ?

[@John-dh1gh]

Still playing marbles it seems.

[@Anntony]

Tit for Tat,while the country fails.😢

[@denzilwashington2299]

Sorry but if anyone thinks any of these scumbags want whats best for this country then there is no hope for you.

[@martincheeseman5809]

Come on kier you can do it!

[@Kittykat-ne7dr]

Bread and circuses 🙄

[@St-lan]

the cash printers decide the faith.

[@user-kv2rz3mw2b]

They should have asked for them 1943

[@paulhanger7242]

Sunak needs to be sacked

[@zorrodm]

I disagree. He's a good PM.

[@whoeverthis.itaintme.9873]

Both need to be sacked. This one good performance will not do.

[@zorrodm]

@@whoeverthis.itaintme.9873 if they are sacked, who do you suggest becomes the Prime Minister?

[@paulhanger7242]

Lee Anderson

[@zorrodm]

@@paulhanger7242 he doesn't seem interested in the slightest to be Prime Minister.

[@RDR1456]

I bet Onana gets done for match fixing in a few years lol

[@bushwhackeddos.2703]

UniParty theatre for 1/4 wits.

[@asmajarrar86]

He is LOST IN LAA LAA LAND 😂😂😂😂

[@sreeram483]

I cant i do.have many of my own to speak up

[@georgepeponas7431]

Britain not so “great” anymore? The proper thing here is to apologize mr Sunak ! Not only Greeks, but also Britons demand it...

[@user-tg2fh9lz9k]

Solid snake breaks is it, in metal gear solid 4 : guns of the patriot.

[@billykimbah2528]

This feels like something to take our attention away from the irish and scottish riots...... ....... .. .

[@EpicAelflaed]

There’s much bigger things going on that they won’t be letting you know about I’m sure. Corrupted politicians

[@sreeram483]

Remember PM as being paid at highest prize of science in medicals they do tend to address the works not under patent it is ok

[@jonnymallett108]

Posh rap battles 😂😂😂

[@therealgodessisis5004]

Thieves never prosper

[@XbxbnWhdj]

Bayıldım tartışmaya

[@dkwerkraum]

Was this impro or scripted?

[@Elizabeth8894]

Rishi is a joke definitely living on cloud cuckoo land nothing he has said is fantasy not reality Starmer and Labour make more sense

[@tatata1543]

Only because we haven’t seen them in action, my worry is they are just as clueless. Starmer puts me in mind of Cameron, he wants the job for the sake of it. When he has it he won’t have a clue what to do with it.

[@Thomasvodka-dx5ug]

The Conservatives are entering right into the belly of the red Beast 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂SOS mayday SoS mayday the Conservatives are Finsh 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@christopherhopkinson5766]

They are. Not ours we stole them of the Greeks but they lost more when the Germans stole there gold they did not get that. Back they are still waiting

[@user-tg2fh9lz9k]

prime mini-star?

[@CharlieReddit]

Mini star what

[@jake751]

Vote green

[@thequeenofspades]

To get Blue under FPTP

[@mogznwaz]

Sorry but Rishi did ok here - Starmer can sit there and say he met the Greek PM and he thinks immigration is too high - but HE is not responsible and has no power to influence either

[@EpicAelflaed]

I don’t agree. Rishi looked rattled and immigration has indeed tripled and is much worse than we thought at 745,000 .. in one year 👀 conservative have f***ed up big time

[@maxmalarkey1132]

Sunak actually has the job and still doesn’t have power or influence…

[@cameronhall6733]

He can sit there and say any number of things because that’s his job, he’s in opposition! Are you expecting him to give that excuse for a PM a pat on the back?

[@normanwoods2279]

As a lifelong Tory voter, I had to agree (gulp gulp) with SIR Kier Starmer that the Tories agenda on migration has been a disaster. My problem is that SIR Kier Starmer a millionaire Knight of the Realm masquerading as a SOCIALIST appears to have less idea on how to deal with Immigration than Sunak.

[@arseface2k934]

Being a millionaire doesn't exclude you from being a socialist.

[@pizou8454]

Starmer can actually get work done unlike this dysfunctional Tory government and I'm no fan of labour.

[@maxmalarkey1132]

Do you think the knighthood was somehow an aristocratic thing? Do you understand how he got to be a knight of the realm? What a weird set of baggage.

[@normanwoods2279]

It wasn't for being a socialist that's for sure.

[@BritishEngineer]

Bias is defined as “personal opinions of the speaker or author being exposed.” Clearly you can tell this video is biased without clicking on the video, straight from the title…

[@kimsanghyuk97]

It seems like you've just learnt of the word, biased! How can the video itself be biased based on the title, if the video is literally the exchange that they had with no context-altering cuts? The title may reflect a bit of bias - can you understand why though? Maybe because the general public does not support Rishi so seeing a video titled this way will draw more views? It's more "clickbait" than it is "biased"

[@chatham43]

.....great deduction...😊

[@zorrodm]

Agreed

[@TayfunAksozluler-op1xx]

Talki talki

[@gavinbissell8847]

Bold of starmer to ussume he knows what the british public want

[@thequeenofspades]

Wait until you hear what the Tories assume the public want.

[@Jonbombs]

Been paying much attention to by elections?

[@IBIZABIKE]

smoke screen

[@Dylan_2333]

Starmer has owned the whole Tory party 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@TG-ts3xn]

Not hard. Vote Reform UK 🇬🇧

[@Dylan_2333]

@@TG-ts3xn Tory’s in disguise

[@SuperMookles]

​@TG-ts3xn So you're suggesting people vote for the the National Front instead of fascists. Nice.

[@lD-cf9mf]

You're either a bot , or a uni student(vegetable).

[@Sarahxxceexxxxxxxxx]

Marry me

[@dlpjhapppy9714]

REFORM UK 🇬🇧

[@lD-cf9mf]

Both are terrible :) 💯

[@DaveATKIN]

Sir Keith Chocolate-Teapot attacking on the vitally important news stories of the day.

[@TG-ts3xn]

Without watching, I assume Labour want to give them back for free?! 😢

[@Jonbombs]

Is that a bad thing?

[@thequeenofspades]

Now try watching it.

[@georgepeponas7431]

Well, let’s see. If someone, whoever, comes to London and removes Big Ben you would consider him as a thief wouldn’t you? We Greeks, having a heavy ancient cultural legacy to bear, are just asking the thief in good faith to return our property back to us.....Is there a moral kingdom?

[@maxmalarkey1132]

Lmao tilting at windmills much?

[@user-wq6sz7vt3w]

Labour are looking very jaded and they are very predictable. Starmer has u-turned on everything he’s said and doesn’t know what day it is!

[@whoeverthis.itaintme.9873]

Not voting Labour until Kier Starmer resigns.

[@edredswilliams1421]

Clueless Rishi Britain's non elected out of touch prime minister. Rishi the Rich privilege man who never spoke to a working class or poor person in his life.

[@stephennewby5060]

Captain Hindsight...desperate to matter but starmer will never matter

[@23bit76]

Clearly he upsets you ..which matters 🎉