Conservative MP Claire Coutinho hit back at Harriet Harman after the former Labour deputy leader called it "woke" of Kemi Badenoch to appoint her shadow business secretary while on maternity leave. The exchange highlights ongoing political sparring over women's representation and workplace rights, with Coutinho arguing she was promoted purely on merit rather than as a symbolic gesture.

Coutinho, 41, who is pregnant with her second child and on maternity leave until January, was appointed shadow business secretary this week, with Julia Lopez covering the role until the new year. Harman had told Sky's Electoral Dysfunction podcast she would give Badenoch a "Woke Badge" for the move, prompting Coutinho to respond on X that "the left don't think a pregnant woman can be promoted on merit". Shadow women and equalities secretary Joy Morrissey and podcast host Ruth Davidson also defended the appointment, while a separate More in Common poll showed the Conservatives overtaking Reform UK into second place, with Labour on 26%, the Tories on 23% and Reform on 22%.