'Verbal epilepsy' headline in The Spectator comes under fire

We were shocked to read a headline in The Spectator last week which stated ‘PMQs was ruined by Starmer’s verbal epilepsy’. The headline referred to a description of Sir Keir Starmer during Prime Minister’s Questions, by Parliamentary Sketch Writer, Madeline Grant.

She wrote:  “He (Sir Keir) was like a cornered animal, lashing and wriggling” and had “repeated bouts of verbal epilepsy.” 

Clare Pelham has written to the magazine’s editor, Michael Gove, explaining in four sentences why the headline made her heart sink and asking “the good folk at The Spectator” to support people with epilepsy. 

Clare wrote: "I wonder if I could take four sentences of your time to say why my heart sank when I read PMQs was ruined by Starmer’s verbal epilepsy 18 March 2026. Epilepsy is the most prevalent neurological condition in the UK, affecting 1 in 100 of us. That figure always comes as a surprise because many people with epilepsy are not open about their condition. There are numerous people with epilepsy in both Houses of Parliament, for example, but I doubt that you can name more than one, or perhaps two. This is because of the stigma attached to the condition that has continued virtually unchanged over the centuries. 

Without policing everyone’s language, we at the Epilepsy Society are doing our bit to try to improve understanding and acceptance. I am sure(!) that you have been gripped by the epilepsy storyline in recent episodes of EastEnders, for example. It would help us enormously if the good folk at The Spectator could give us their support. Donations can be made at epilepsysociety.org.uk/donate or by calling 0300 102 0026."  

We are awaiting a response.