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Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer will face off at Prime Minister’s Questions today, with both leaders facing unrest within their own parties.
Despite Labour’s historic by-election wins last week, which saw the party overturn significant Tory majorities in Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth, Labour leader Sir Keir has seen a slew of councillors quit over his comments about the war is Gaza.
Those by-elections, meanwhile, have piled the pressure on the Prime Minister ahead of a likely general election next year, with some MPs doubting whether he is the man to lead the party forward.
What time is PMQs today?
PMQs begins at the usual time of 12 noon, and the session will last for about half an hour. You can watch PMQs live on this page, and it will also be broadcast on the UK Parliament YouTube channel.
On TV, PMQs airs live on BBC News and Sky News, and is accessible online via BBC iPlayer and the Sky News live YouTube stream.
What should we expect from PMQs?
The escalating situation in Gaza is likely to be the main talking point of the session. The Prime Minister pledged to double emergency aid to Gaza this week, but rejected calls for a ceasefire as he pushes for relief for Britons trapped in the region.
He said he was “doing everything in my power” to ensure British hostages captured by Hamas are freed as soon as possible.
Mr Sunak told the House of Commons on Monday: “We are providing an additional £20m of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza – more than doubling our previous support to the Palestinian people.”
He recounted meeting the relatives of Hamas hostages during his brief tour of the Middle East last week, saying: “Their pain will stay with me for the rest of my days. I am doing everything in my power – and working with all of our partners – to get their loved ones home.”
But he added: “This is not a time for hyperbole and simplistic solutions. It is a time for quiet and dogged diplomacy that recognises the hard realities on the ground and delivers help now. And we have an important role to play.”
In his response, Sir Keir – who has been criticised by some Labour colleagues who say he has not been strong enough in his support for Palestinian civilians – said: “There must now be clear humanitarian corridors within Gaza for those escaping violence.
“Civilians must not be targeted. And where Palestinians are forced to flee, they must not be permanently displaced from their homes. International law is clear.
“It also means basic services including water, electricity, and the fuel needed for it, cannot be denied. Hamas may not care for the safety and security of the Palestinian people, but we do.”