Theresa May evokes Margaret Thatcher with jibe at Jeremy Corbyn in first PMQs

New Prime Minister delights Tory MPs with attack on Labour leader that is eerily reminiscent of party's previous female premier

Theresa May has prompted a barrage of comparisons with Margaret Thatcher following her first appearance at Prime Minister’s Questions.

Responding to a question from Jeremy Corbyn about workers with unscrupulous bosses, Ms May suggested the embattled Labour leader may have “many members on the opposition benches who might be familiar with an unscrupulous boss”.

Warming to her theme, she suggested: “A boss who doesn’t listen to his workers?”

“A boss who requires some of his workers to double their work load?”

“Maybe even a boss who exploits the rules to further his own career.”

Leaning into the despatch box, Ms May then raised her voice and - in a manner eerily reminiscent of party's previous female premier - asked Mr Corbyn: “Remind him of anybody?”

Though she was alluding to the fracturing of the Labour party under Mr Corbyn’s leadership, the figure who many people were most reminded of was Margaret Thatcher when she was in her full rhetorical stride.

Many people rapidly made the comparison between the two Conservative leaders, while others said the association was only being made because they are both women.

In a final jibe at Mr Corbyn, Ms May again highlighted Labour’s internal strife and leadership contest. “The Labour Party may be about to spend several months fighting and tearing itself apart, but the Tories will be spending those months bringing this country back together.”