Question
The only thing that is exceptional about Britain’s record on slavery is that we were the first country in the world to abolish it. We are the country of William Wilberforce. We are the country of the West Africa Squadron. Why are we entertaining this performative far-left nonsense? Why does the Prime Minister not just focus on what the British people actually want, which is to cut the cost of living and do something that helps our own constituents? [ Interruption. ] Government Members can groan as much as they want, but I wager this: what I am saying is more in tune with the people of this country than anything that we have heard from them today.50% point-scoring
Answer
If the right hon. Gentleman is looking for performative nonsense, he should engage a mirror. In relation to this work, I know it is difficult for him to comprehend, but two things can be true at the same time. I am extremely proud of the work that the Royal Navy, the Government and William Wilberforce did—I thank the right hon. Gentleman for the history lesson—but we can also say that there is an important piece of work to do around acknowledging our past and moving forward. As I say, I know that is difficult for him, but nevertheless that is really what is going to happen.50% point-scoring 25% vibes
Verdict: RED (18/100)
The reply gave only a vague reason for engaging with the debate, namely a general commitment to 'acknowledging our past and moving forward', with no concrete purpose or action attached. The second part of the question, whether the Prime Minister will prioritise cost-of-living measures for constituents, was not answered at all. Because the reply is largely hedged and rhetorical, the person who asked would most likely need to put the question again to get specific information.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is the Government's reason for engaging with the current debate on Britain's record on slavery and the proposals associated with it. | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply gestures at a reason for engaging with the debate, namely that there is 'an important piece of work to do around acknowledging our past and moving forward', but this is a platitude with no concrete purpose, mechanism, or action attached. The pride-in-Wilberforce statement is historical framing rather than a reason for engaging with current proposals, and the rest of the reply is mostly rhetorical point-scoring. |
| Will the Prime Minister prioritise measures to cut the cost of living and help constituents over the matter raised in the first item. | Not Addressed | Generic | No answer statement mentions cost-of-living measures, constituents, or whether the Prime Minister will prioritise them; the closing 'nevertheless that is really what is going to happen' refers to nothing identifiable in the question and does not answer whether such priorities will be set. |