𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

A bit like the international break in football, politics has finally returned to its domestic bread and butter after four arduous weeks of party conference season. And PMQs was the mid-week match-up everyone had been waiting for.

Andy vs Kemi, the Reds vs the Blues. A clash of ideologies, a clash of styles. Both had made headlines, for differing reasons, in their big set piece speeches away from Westminster. Now it was time for them to face-off across the despatch box.

The problem for Burnham is that it’s quite difficult when you have your foot in your mouth all time. His knack of mis-speaking is fast becoming a bad habit.

Russia meddling with Brexit, his apparent support for Man City, choosing welfare over national security and suggesting football fans would soon be allowed to drink pints on the terraces.

The list goes on. It even has the makings of a terrace chant – best suggestions on a postcard please.

The Manc-Scousian was at it again today, this time seemingly committing Contempt of Court regarding Ann Widdecombe’s alleged killer.

By the time the action properly kicked off, Mrs B could barely contain herself.

Straight away she went studs-up on the PM, accusing him of repeatedly tying himself in knots.

Badenoch was at her mesmering best, rifling in shots on everything from North Sea drilling, Defence spending and the Man City scandal.

If it was a game of footy it would have been all over by halftime.

Burnham, to his credit, steadied the ship, regrouped and came back for more in a way that his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, wouldn’t have been able to do.

We got the full repertoire from the King of the North. Lefty Andy, passionate Andy and conciliatory Andy, even praising his “brave” opposite number for her stance against Reform UK during a recent race row.

Elsewhere, Ed Davey got the biggest cheer of the day as MPs mercilessly mocked the under-threat Lib Dem leader.

Nigel Farage, meanwhile, was given a dose of the Burnham benevolence, with the PM acknowledging threats to his safety.

It’s a funny old game!