LONDON

A day before key local government elections, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced a barrage of questions during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday, which covered a wide range of contentious issues, including border control, grooming gangs, and future UK-US trade agreements.

With voters across 23 local authorities preparing to decide on 1,641 council seats and six mayoral contests, tensions were high in Westminster.

The session followed Labour's announcement of a tough new policy targeting fly-tipping, which includes crushing vehicles used by perpetrators.

The debate was fueled by recent opinion polls that suggest Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, could make significant gains, potentially winning hundreds of seats.

Farage used his PMQs slot to press the prime minister about the sharp increase in small boat crossings carrying irregular migrants.

"It was confirmed on Monday that 10,000 people had made the journey in 2025 - the highest on record for the first four months of a calendar year," Farage noted.

"Smash the gangs was nothing more than an election slogan, not a policy, and isn't it time to declare a national emergency and act accordingly?"

He claimed this represented a 40% increase over the same period last year, and that many migrants came from countries that were "somewhat alien to ours."

In response, Starmer defended his government’s approach, saying: "We are passing a borders bill with extensive powers to smash the gangs.

We must take back control of our borders after the last government lost control."

National inquiry on grooming gangs

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch challenged the prime minister on grooming gangs, asking: "Why won't he have a national inquiry?" Starmer replied: "We've had a national inquiry.

"We've had recommendations, there are hundreds of recommendations that have been made in relation to this issue - it is a serious issue.

"I strongly believe we should implement the recommendations that have already been made, and that is what we are doing. I strongly believe we should listen to victims, and we've been listening to victims on this side for decades."

He added: "The victims his party had spoken to wanted local inquiries and those are being set up."

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey raised concerns over trade negotiations with the US, calling for greater parliamentary oversight.

Referencing the Canadian election result, he said: "Canada has learned what happens when you do a trade deal with President Trump. He can't be trusted to stick with it."

Davey pressed the prime minister to commit to a parliamentary vote on any deal before it is signed, reminding him: "I asked the same question last week at PMQs and didn't receive an answer."

Starmer again declined to directly answer the question by just saying the government would "act in the national interest."

"If (a deal) is secured, it will go through the known procedures for this House," he added.