Kemi Badenoch had one of her strongest outings at Prime Minister's Questions, appearing to get under Keir Starmer's skin.
The Conservative leader's performances have improved markedly in recent weeks, and she looks noticeably more confident in the chamber.
Only a short time ago, pressure was mounting on Ms Badenoch's position at the top of her party, with speculation that she could be ousted next year. That threat has not disappeared entirely – and May's elections could still be a perilous moment for her – but she is now secure enough to tease the prime minister about being a "caretaker prime minister", with his cabinet ministers vying to take his job, as Westminster chatter about replacing the Labour leader refuses to die down.
Starmer hit back, highlighting the number of Conservatives who have defected to Nigel Farage's Reform UK and asking: "The real question is – who's next?"
But the Conservative leader had clearly managed to rile him. With just one PMQs remaining before the Commons breaks for two weeks, Ms Badenoch may be the one heading off with plenty of reasons for Christmas cheer.
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