Sky’s pre-election scrutiny of the two prime ministerial hopefuls, The Battle for Number 10, saw Beth Rigby grill Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak on their political records, their manifestos and their characters.
She opened by asking Starmer about his support for Jeremy Corbyn. Here’s how that went.
Rigby: “….,You told voters Jeremy Corbyn would make a great Prime Minister. Did you mean it?!”
Starmer: “I was certain we would lose the 2019 general election”
Rigby: “So you said it anyway”
Keir Starmer is a lying 2 faced untrustworthy political prostitute #skynewsdebate pic.twitter.com/uKrVveSfyP
— Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (@SholaMos1) June 12, 2024
Not a great start.
Rishi Sunak had to go over his early exit from the D-Day commemorations again.
Beth Rigby, “Liz Truss never recovered from the mini-budget. Do you worry your will not recover form leaving D-Day early?”
Rishi Sunak, “It was a mistake, I apologise”
BR, “When you realited the mistake, how did you feel?”
RS, “I was incredibly sad, I hope people can find it… pic.twitter.com/xxslRrOTP2
— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) June 12, 2024
These comments show what the internet was thinking.
Starmer doing fine. Decent guy. Empathetic. Steady. Let’s hope @BethRigby tears Roland Rat a new arsehole. #battleforNo10 pic.twitter.com/2V3qxjGDhB
— Dom Joly (@domjoly) June 12, 2024
I understand people think that Rishi Sunak is trying to throw this election. But I promise he isn’t. Guys, this is him trying as hard as he can. This is what it looks like. #BattleForNo10
— Sooz Kempner (@SoozUK) June 12, 2024
My wife is a softly spoken teaching assistant in early years. She is a deeply caring person who loves and supports all her students. Slow to anger and always positive.
She just yelled “fuck off” at the TV. #SkyDebate #BattleforNo10— VDubya (@TheVDubya) June 12, 2024
Beth Rigby when she woke up this morning #BattleForNo10 pic.twitter.com/mYRFqLIjRd
— . (@toops99) June 12, 2024
The only good thing about that performance by Sunak is that it was on Sky, so at least his parents won’t have been able to watch it. ~AA
— Best for Britain (@BestForBritain) June 12, 2024
The difference between this and the ITV debate is remarkable. Starmer had a tough interview but was combative. This chat with Sunak feels like a sad redundancy exit interview.
— Liam Thorp (@LiamThorpECHO) June 12, 2024
Just think in 3 weeks time we won’t have to hear his voice anymore
He’ll be in California by August
Sunak on #BattleForNo10
— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) June 12, 2024
Beth Rigby gave Sunak a chance to increase his likeability. Here’s what he thought would do that.
“I have an appalling diet because I eat an enormous amount of sugar.”@BethRigby asks @RishiSunak to tell the audience something about himself that might make them like him more. #BattleForNo10
https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/Bzga61ItY0
— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 12, 2024
“People seem to think I have a very healthy lifestyle and I go to the gym, and this obsession about my fasting, but I actually have an appalling diet because I eat an enormous amount of sugar.”
“I was talking to someone today and they were genuinely surprised by the amount of Haribos, Twixes I get through – particularly during a campaign.”
If his comments are about to do for Haribo and Twix what he did for Adidas Sambas in April, dentists may like him a little more – if he can find any. Everyone else thought it was another in a long line of election campaign gaffes.
1.
“We asked 100 people to name one thing that would make you more likeable. You said Haribos” pic.twitter.com/DQwT3pLhOY
— Davenant (@MarcDavenant) June 12, 2024
2.
Translation: There’s nothing likeable about me. I like sugar. pic.twitter.com/1TGlvPd411
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) June 12, 2024
3.
Vote for me because I eat Haribos. #BattleForNo10
— Parody Rishi Sunak (@Parody_PM) June 12, 2024
4.
I foretell a satirical video mashing up Sunak and the haribo advert.
— Chris Bryant (@RhonddaBryant) June 12, 2024
5.
Rishi Sunak eats Haribo instead of running through fields of wheat.
— Miffy (@miffythegamer) June 12, 2024
6.
Keir Starmer: I fear for my children – Rishi Sunak: I eat Haribos and Twix #BattleForNo10 pic.twitter.com/iQbgElUIx8
— Hecate Havisham Ⓥ (@fornagainst) June 12, 2024
7.
Rishi is a big advocate of treat days https://t.co/fzfSbkyzl9
— Brian Butterfield (@MrBButterfield) June 12, 2024
8.
Beth Rigby: “can you tell the #skydebate audience something about yourself that will make the audience like you a bit more?”
Sunak: “I eat a lot of Twix bars”
I think a better answer might have been ‘sorry but no I can’t” pic.twitter.com/sGPUzh42Es
— dave ❄️ (@mrdavemacleod) June 12, 2024
9.
Haribo, Sky telly, bet the fucker’s got a Mr. Frosty in the cupboard.
— Sam Whyte (@SamWhyte) June 12, 2024
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
