‘Putin’s Poodles’: Reform UK MPs Criticised Over Commons No-Show

Reform UK MPs have been described as “Putin’s poodles” after only one of them turned up for Keir Starmer’s announcement about extra defence spending.

Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s leader at Westminster, took aim at the right-wing party as MPs responded to the PM.

Starmer said that the amount of money the government spends on defence will increase from 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) to 2.7% by 2027.

He said the money will be found by cutting the foreign aid budget from 0.5% to 0.3% of GDP.

As Flynn got up to ask his question, the benches behind him where Reform’s five MPs normally sit were empty.

He said: “Aside from a few of Putin’s poodles who are not in their seats in the chamber here today, we are of course united in our support for the people of Ukraine.”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has spoken of his admiration for Vladimir Putin in the past, and last year claimed the West had “provoked” Russia into invading Ukraine.

But Reform MP Lee Anderson, who could be seen sitting in his usual position later, accused Flynn of misleading the Commons.

He said: “I was present for the prime minister’s statement, left for a comfort break and returned for the rest of the debate. In fact, I’ve been in the chamber for nearly four hours today.

“Funnily enough, when I returned to the chamber, the leader of the SNP and none of his MPs were actually present.

“The leader of the SNP has misled the house and should apologise, if you can find him.”

Apparently referring to Anderson, Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle said “can I say to those who were late, please don’t embarrass the chair by standing” to ask a question.

Immediately after Hoyle’s comments, Tory MP Simon Hoare said: “What an abdication of responsibility and duty that on these precious issues of defence and security there’s not a single member of the Reform party who is capable or able to stand and ask a question of the prime minister.”

Asked at a Downing Street press conference whether he was “Nigel Farage in disguise” for slashing the aid budget to boost defence, Starmer said: “Nigel Farage didn’t even turn up for the debate in parliament today. Nigel Farage is fawning over Putin. That’s not patriotism, that is not what working people need.”

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