New Reform UK MP Stuns The Commons With Outrageous Request In PMQs

New Reform MP Sarah Pochin and PM Keir StarmerA Reform UK MP has stunned the Commons by asking if the government will ban the burqa.Sarah Pochin, who won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election last month, suggested to Keir Starmer that the UK should forbid people from wearing the Muslim garment which covers a woman’s whole body, aside from the eyes.She raised the issue at prime minister’s questions (PMQs), despite a burqa ban not being her own party’s policy.Pochin said: “Given the prime minister’s desire to strengthen strategic alignment with our European neighbours, will he – in the interest of public safety – follow the lead of France, Denmark, Belgium and others, and ban the burqa?”That question sparked outrage among MPs – and Keir Starmer paused before replying.He said: “Can I welcome her to her place, but I’m not going to follow her down that line.”A Reform UK spokesman told HuffPost UK that banning the burqa was “not party policy, but it needs a national debate, which is what the House is for”.Pochin won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by just six votes – overturning Labour’s 14,700 majority – in a huge victory for Reform UK last month.Today was the first time she has asked a question at PMQs since being elected.Rather than answer her request, Starmer instead tried to corner the MP over party leader Nigel Farage’s manifesto.He said: “But now that she is here, perhaps she could tell her new party leader that his latest plan to bet £80bn of unfunded tax cuts, has no idea how he’s going to pay for it, is Liz Truss all over again?“Although, considering she was a Conservative member when Liz Truss was leader, she probably won’t.”Sarah Pochin(Reform MP): Will he ban the burqa?Keir Starmer: I'm not going to follow her down that line..#PMQspic.twitter.com/Flxxt65z2C— Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Haggis_UK) June 4, 2025In a short clip posted on social media before PMQs, Pochin suggested it was actually a question which came from the constituents.She said on X: “Thank you to everyone who sent in questions for the prime minister. I’ve chosen one and will be asking it just after 12 noon today in the House of Commons.”Related...Rachel Reeves To Spend Billions In Red Wall In Bid To See Off Reform ThreatSavage Blow For Keir Starmer As Reform Stun Labour To Win Runcorn By-ElectionNigel Farage Sparks Fresh Race Row By Making Another Bizarre Claim About Labour Leader

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