Gyles Brandreth has called for Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis to stand for election following his powerful National Television Awards acceptance speech on Thursday evening.
The consumer champion has been praised after he took aim at Prime Minister Liz Truss and the government as he took home a gong for best TV expert.
After he went up against the likes of David Attenborough, The Repair Shop's Jay Blades and farming contractor Kaleb Cooper, Martin called on ‘somebody to get a grip on the economy’ amid the cost of living crisis.
Collecting his award at London's OVO Wembley Arena, he said: “It's been a pretty horrible year financially.
“I mean, the energy crisis has been disastrous and left many people with terrible issues and mental health problems.
“I'm afraid the next year, with the mortgage problem and the knock-on to rent, is going to be pretty bad. And you know what? We need somebody to get a grip on the economy and put things a little bit back.”
This Morning played the clip of Martin accepting his award on Friday’s instalment of the programme, prompting guest Gyles Brandreth to call on the money expert to stand for election.
The former MP said: “There’s going to be an election and people like him, who really give us confidence, who know it in depth, have been thinking about it for years, he does care.
“People obviously respect and admire him – look he won the award. Why not?
“Two years from now, there will be an election and he could stand as an independent. There have been independents who occasionally get elected. No need to put on a party hat.”
Host Dermot O’Leary asked ‘what difference’ Martin could make beyond the boundaries of his own constituency, were he to stand for election.
Gyles replied: “The point is, I think we should have people like him in government and the only way to be in government is to be in the Houses of Parliament.”
He did explain that given his position, Martin could either be a member of the House of Lords or an MP.
He concluded: “That’s what I would like to see – more people like that with knowledge, experience and passion going into politics.”
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV and ITV Hub.
