Fiona Bruce left surprised in explosive Question Time conflict with Labour minister | Politics | News | EUROtoday

A Labour minister clashed with Fiona Bruce over Labour U-turns throughout a fiery second on tonight’s BBC Question Time. Cabinet minister Heidi Alexander mentioned she took “issue” with the instance the BBC presenter gave on the two-child profit cap.

It got here because the panel present mentioned whether or not U-turns are an indication of weak spot or good management. Ms Alexander mentioned: “I think a responsible Government actually listens to advice it’s given, if circumstances change and more information becomes available I think the right thing to do some of the time is have a bit of a course correction. I do take issue with what you said Fiona there about some of the examples you gave.”

A surprised Bruce replied: “Do you? Why?”

The Labour politician went on: “You said we have changed our policy on removing the two-child cap in Universal Credit.

“We arrange a fee to have a look at youngster poverty, to have a look at what we might finest do to elevate kids out of poverty on this nation.

“At the conclusion of that we decided that the single most important thing you could do was to adjust the benefits system and lift nearly half a million children out of poverty in this country.”

Bruce interrupted: “Hang on Heidi, just a minute. It was defended by Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer as the right thing to do and the thing the country couldn’t afford.

“A yr later, hey presto, the nation can instantly afford it. How is that not a U-turn?”

Ms Alexander prompted laughter from some members of the audience as she denied it was a U-turn.

Bruce then said: “So why do you suppose persons are laughing at that, Heidi?”

She replied: “Well maybe it is my incapacity to specific the Government’s coverage as succinctly as I’d in any other case.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer initially refused to elevate the two-child profit cap and stripped the whip from MPs who rebelled.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced that the cap can be scrapped ultimately October’s finances following intense strain from Labour MPs.