Prime Minister Keir Starmer launched a scathing attack on the Conservative Party's record in government, accusing them of having held 'more positions in 14 years than the Kama Sutra' during a heated Prime Minister's Questions session.
Fiery Exchange Over Digital ID Policy Reversal
The barb was delivered on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch challenged the Prime Minister over his government's latest policy reversal. Ministers had that morning confirmed they were ditching plans to make a specific digital ID mandatory for right-to-work checks in the UK.
While the government remains committed to digital checks, it will now accept other forms of digital documentation, such as a biometric passport chip, instead of insisting on a single digital ID. This marks a significant shift from Starmer's September announcement, where he vowed, 'You will not be able to work in the UK if you don't have a digital ID'.
Starmer Hits Back on Tory 'Consistency'
Responding to Badenoch's accusation of another U-turn, Starmer defended his government's approach. 'I'm determined to make it harder for people to work illegally in this country,' he stated, confirming that checks would be both digital and mandatory, albeit with more flexibility on the type of documentation.
He then turned his fire on the Conservative Party's own record. 'She talks about U-turns and consistency from the party that used to recognise the challenge of climate change, and now they run from it,' he said, before listing the frequent changes in key ministerial roles during their tenure.
'On consistency, don't get me started on five prime ministers, six chancellors, eight home secretaries, 16 housing ministers,' Starmer declared. 'They had more positions in 14 years than the Kama Sutra.' The ancient Hindu text is a guide to sexuality and spiritual fulfilment.
Government Defends 'Relaxed' Approach
Earlier in the day, Chancellor Rachel Reeves sought to downplay the significance of the policy shift on digital ID. She told BBC Breakfast the story had been 'a bit overwritten' and that the government was 'pretty relaxed' about whether people used a digital ID card, an e-visa, or an e-passport for right-to-work checks.
The core aim of preventing illegal working remained, but the method of proving the right to work had been broadened. This clarification followed the initial announcement which had strongly emphasised a mandatory, singular digital ID system.
The PMQs clash underscores the ongoing political battles over policy stability and the legacy of the previous government, with Starmer using vivid rhetoric to contrast his administration's agenda with what he portrays as Conservative chaos.
