Prime minister’s questions: a shouty, jeery, very occasionally useful advert for British politics. Here’s what you need to know from the latest session in POLITICO’s weekly run-through.

What they sparred about: U-turns. The latest reverse ferret on digital ID gave Tory Leader Kemi Badenoch the perfect catalyst to lash Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the various 180-degree shifts he has made since he entered office.

If your internet was down: Officials confirmed Tuesday evening digital ID would be optional rather than mandatory for right to work checks, a climbdown from the PM’s pledge last fall to introduce checks by the next general election. The recent identity crisis joins a long line of policy alterations, which Badenoch was more than happy to ask about.

Bagging the win: The Tory leader welcomed the “rubbish policy” getting put on the scrapheap, though crowed that the change of heart came just after Health Secretary Wes Streeting urged ministers to “try to get it right first time.” Awks. In response, the PM reiterated his determination to “make it harder for people to work illegally,” and said there would still be mandatory digital checks. Hmm …

Grab the sick bags: The PM attempted to divert attention by making queasy political analogies. Highlighting the number of PMs, chancellors and housing ministers under the last Tory government, Starmer said “they had more positions in 14 years than the Kama Sutra. No wonder they’re knackered and left the country screwed.” Yuck.

Plough on: Badenoch recovered from that mental image by sharply moving on to inheritance tax for farmers. Ministers said they would increase the threshold at which it should be paid just two days before Christmas. The Tory leader pleaded the PM for an apology over the “misery” caused to farmers, claiming some were “so terrified” they sold their farms. The PM stood his ground insisting they were changing the “failed approach” of the last government.

Stable geniuses: As usual, both leaders focused on politics over policy, and traded blows over who is the most vulnerable. Starmer laid into the Tory “sinking ship” following former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi’s defection to Reform labeling it a “second Boris wave.” Badenoch, who has enjoyed some more favorable press coverage of late, quipped: “I’m alright.”

Battle of the backbenchers: The Tory leader tried exploiting Starmer’s weakness by raising frustration among his backbenchers and possible future leadership threats. “This Prime Minister treats his MPs so badly,” she said. “They follow his lead and he hangs them out to dry every time.”

Tortured metaphor: The pair traded barbs about U-turns on business rates for pubs, but Starmer’s speechwriters couldn’t resist another dig after seeing an “Ikea shadow cabinet” during a visit to the Swedish store earlier this week. “The trouble is nobody wants to buy it, it’s mainly constructed of old dead wood and every time you lose a nut it defects to Reform.” Boom boom!

In the crosshairs: Reform UK may have just five MPs, but Nigel Farage’s party featured in some of Starmer’s other answers too. The PM slammed Reform as an “absolute disgrace” for its stance on X owner Elon Musk, and labeled Farage a “[Vladimir] Putin apologist” for opposing boots on the ground in Ukraine. Expect plenty more of this as the local elections draw closer.

Helpful backbench intervention of the week: Lewisham East MP Janet Daby mentioned falling knife crime and homicide levels in London under Labour’s Sadiq Khan, and decried the Tory and Reform UK records in the capital. No surprises for guessing how Starmer responded? By agreeing with her entirely.

Totally unscientific scores on the doors: Starmer 6/10. Badenoch 7/10. Familiar attack lines were deployed on both sides of the aisle. Badenoch said the U-turns reflected Starmer’s ineptitude as the PM slammed her record in office and number of defections. Neither leader landed a killer blow, but the digital ID U-turn left Starmer on the back foot, and so just handed Badenoch the win.