Chatty, good-natured... even DELIGHTED to be in one another's company: How once frosty rivals Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak put 'point-scoring' to one side at State Opening
Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak appeared genuinely happy and even 'delighted' to be in one another's company as they walked side by side today at the State Opening of Parliament, a body language expert said today.
The pair were seen exchanging small talk during the traditional procession from the Commons to the House of Lords for the King's Speech - which saw Labour dismantle some of the Tories' flagship policies.
And while onlookers might assume their friendly demeanor was just a performance, behavioural guru Judi James said their body language suggested otherwise.
She told MailOnline: 'Starmer was quick off the blocks once the procession out of the Commons began and he and Sunak greeting each other like chatty and very good-natured friends, immediately smiling, chuckling and laughing together and using the kind of animated gesticulation that suggested they were delighted to be in each other's company.
'The side-by-side walk to the other chamber is usually notorious for some body language power-play and one-upmanship, with both leaders historically engaging in a contest to see who can use the most animated gestures to make themselves look dominant and the other leader look as though they are in a more passive listening role, but neither Starmer nor Sunak appeared keen to overdo the power-posturing to win points here today.'
Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak were seen exchanging small talk during the traditional procession from the Commons to the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament
Body language expert Judi James said the pair seemed genuinely happy in each other's company. She noted how Sir Keir 'matched' Mr Sunak's 'sociable energy'
Ms James described how the pair engaged in 'fun-based gesticulation'
Ms James said Mr Sunak's gesticulation appeared 'very merry and quite fun based' while Mr Starmer 'looked happy to match his sociable energy'.
She continued: 'Sunak looked happy to gaze up at Starmer's face as he speaks and there is even some mirroring of their hand gestures to suggest empathy.
'At points Sunak's hand is held lower, with some cupping to suggest a desire to please rather than compete and dominate, while Starmer's one hand in his pocket projects a relaxed mood.'
The body language expert contrasted the leaders' exchange with that between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn at the State Opening of Parliament in 2019.
She added: 'Today's walk-in to the chamber never threatened to display any of the kind of feral frostiness shown by Corbyn to Boris Johnson during their Queen's speech.
'Boris was famously seen trying to engage the leader of the opposition in some good-natured chat while Corbyn completely froze him out by ignoring him totally.'
The show of togetherness follows a bruising election campaign where they exchanged numerous barbs, including Mr Sunak's claim that Sir Keir would cause 'irreversible damage' to Britain in his first 100 days in power.
The Labour leader was equally blunt when discussing his opposite number, at one point accusing him of 'lying about Labour's tax plans during a bad-tempered TV debate.
Sir Keir has already ended the Tory government's Rwanda scheme, and today's King's Speech revealed that their proposals to reform union powers - including minimum service standards on the railways - will also be abolished.
The show of togetherness follows a bruising election campaign where they exchanged numerous barbs
The body language expert contrasted the leaders' exchange with that between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn at the State Opening of Parliament in 2019
Many have pointed to the similarities between the two men, who both share a strong work ethic and a technocratic approach that contrasts with the more bombastic style of Boris Johnson.
Last year, the Labour leader said he 'loathed' Mr Johnson, but had a 'much better' relationship with Mr Sunak.
'My personal relationship with him is much better,' he told The Political Party podcast.
'He phoned me the day he became Prime Minister, gave me his personal number and we said we would work together on things like Ukraine, if there was a terrorist incident, God forbid, or security issues.'
During his last speech as Prime Minister, Mr Sunak praised Sir Keir as decent and public spirited.
In turn, the Labour leader thanked him for his public service.
Sir Keir's convincing election victory against Mr Sunak's Conservatives has handed him the large majority needed to enforce his will on the new Parliament.
Today's King's Speech saw the monarch outline a blizzard of around 40 bills in the new government's maiden legislative programme, with the PM vowing to deliver 'real change that transforms lives'.
The measures include a major overhaul of the planning system, renationalising the railways, a Net Zero push, a truancy crackdown and bringing Channel smuggling gangs under terror laws.
Amid the usual pomp and ceremony, the King said ministers will go ahead with controversial class-war plans to impose VAT on private school fees.
The ban on current 15-year-olds ever buying cigarettes is being revived, after the previous attempt was lost when Rishi Sunak called the election.
Many have pointed to the similarities between the two men, who both share a strong work ethic and a technocratic approach that contrasts with the more bombastic style of Boris Johnson
However, Labour is already facing a backlash over weakening protections for the 'green belt' and stripping communities of rights to object to construction. Instead it will be a question of 'how, not if' homes are built.
Businesses have voiced concerns about moves to roll back curbs on unions and give workers 'default' rights to flexible working 'from day one'.
Sir Keir has also confirmed that the Rwanda deportation scheme is being axed, despite hopes it was already having a deterrent effect.
And there was no sign of Labour's flagship pledge to bring in votes for 16-year-olds, which critics claim is an attempt to 'gerrymander' elections. Sources insisted it has not been prioritised because there are no ballots looming.
The two party leaders laugh together inside the Commons chamber today
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Shadow Chancellor Jeremy Hunt chat together in the Member's Lobby
