Streeting signals leadership ambition as Starmer faces PMQs over sanctions and prices

Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced a rigorous session at Prime Minister’s Questions on 20 May 2026, where Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch targeted the government’s approach to energy sanctions and domestic inflation. Badenoch criticised the decision to relax sanctions on Russian oil refined in third countries, describing the policy as “insane” alongside Labour’s refusal to approve new North Sea oil and gas licences. She argued the move contradicted the government’s stance on standing up to Vladimir Putin.

The scrutiny also extended to the government’s consideration of a voluntary scheme for supermarkets to freeze prices on essential foodstuffs. Badenoch dismissed the proposal as a “Soviet-style” measure, echoing criticism from shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith, who labelled the idea “more nuts than a squirrel convention.” Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson clarified that the initiative was not a formal government announcement but a consideration to assist with the cost of living, distinct from the Scottish National Party’s push for mandatory price caps.

Internal dissent emerged regarding the energy policy shift, with Emily Thornberry, Labour chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee, noting that people in Ukraine felt “very let down” by the government’s handling of sanctions. Thornberry highlighted that the G7 had promised to close loopholes regarding third-country refined oil, yet the UK appeared to be importing sanctioned oil provided it was refined in Turkey first, undermining commitments made to allies fighting Russia’s war effort.

Following the parliamentary session, former Health Secretary Wes Streeting delivered a resignation speech in the House of Commons. Streeting, who resigned the previous week citing a lack of confidence in Starmer, used the platform to outline his departure from the cabinet. While he did not launch an immediate leadership bid, the speech provided clear indications of his manifesto for a potential Labour leadership contest later in the year.

Concurrent developments included John Swinney being sworn in as Scotland’s First Minister at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, with cabinet appointments expected later in the day. In other parliamentary business, former cabinet minister Alan Milburn gave evidence to the Commons work and pensions committee on youth employment, while Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham were scheduled to speak at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum.