An important lesson from Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch's jokes at Prime Minister's Questions

Both Kemi Badenoch and Keir Starmer sparked widespread laughter from MPs during his final Prime Minister's Questions (Picture: House of Commons/UK Parliament) | PA

In his final appearance at Prime Minister’s Questions, Keir Starmer paid tribute to Kemi Badenoch’s debating skills. Tongue firmly in cheek, he said it had been “always a pleasure, always something to look forward to”.

To general laughter, he added: “And I’ve answered, or at least given answers, on 2,800 times. And I’m sure she will question my successor in the same way.”

The Conservative leader was equally magnanimous, praising Starmer’s stance on the Ukraine War and his friendship with the country's president, Volodymyr Zelensky. She joined in the jocular mood, by making what at first sounded like an attack on Starmer’s successor Andy Burnham, not expected to face PMQs until September.

“... one politician intends to spend the summer avoiding scrutiny, refusing to set out his plans. So does he [Starmer] not agree that what the country deserves is a televised debate between Nigel Farage and Count Binface?” she said, again to laughter.

READ MORE: Sir Keir Starmer able to mock self in emotional last ever PMQs

Three politicians killed

Some may regard the bonhomie as trivial. However, given the downward spiral of public discourse towards rancour, hatred and, sometimes, violence, such exchanges are important. They demonstrate that Starmer and Badenoch respect each other as human beings and that, despite their political differences, they are prepared to be friendly.

Most people conduct themselves in the same way. But there is a minority who appear to regard violence as a means to an end. Earlier, Starmer said it was “chilling” that three serving or former MPs had been killed during his time in parliament.

READ MORE: Ann Widdecombe's murder puts threats to Nigel Farage in a new context

Debate needs to be robust. But politicians and everyone else who engages in political arguments must recognise that, with social media rage spilling out into the real world, times have changed. As with road rage, social media is a place where there are few shades of grey and far too many people treat those they disagree with as if they were the epitome of evil.

In such times, we need politicians to lead by example and show a basic level of respect towards their opponents. Political violence is a mortal threat to democracy and it cannot be allowed to take root in society – or we will all pay a heavy price.