Rishi Sunak didn't hide his excitement as he appeared on This Morning. The Tory leadership hopeful appeared live in the studio on the ITV daytime show on Thursday (August 18) with just over two weeks to go until the country gets a new Prime Minister.
Mr Sunak is currently in the running for the top job at Number 10 alongside Liz Truss. And he has insisted he still has a “shot” at being the next prime minister despite polls consistently putting his opponent as the clear favourite to win the leadership contest and replace Boris Johnson who announced he was stepping down in July.
The former chancellor said he "definitely" has a chance of victory, while warning his rival’s tax-cutting plans could fan the flames of inflation. Mr Sunak said his less radical plans are honest and deliverable, as economists said weak public finances mean large tax cuts are implausible.
Asked on This Morning if he still has a chance of victory after the latest YouGov poll of party members had 66 per cent backing Ms Truss to 34 per cent supporting Mr Sunak, he said: "Yes, definitely." He insisted he has a "shot of being prime minister", adding: "I’m really excited to keep going, I think my ideas are the right ones."
Rishi went on to address some viewers' concerns about inflation and the cost of living. He said, “It’s really tough and it is the number one challenge facing the new Prime Minister. My plans, I announced quite a bit of it as Chancellor, and I want to build on that as PM as the situation is worse than we thought, sadly.
"I want to cut VAT off energy bills because that will help everyone and is something you can do quite quickly. That will provide a couple of hundred extra pounds this autumn and winter on top of what I announced as Chancellor which was quite significant.
"But there are two other groups that I think need some extra help on top of that and it's those on the lowest incomes, about a third of our society, and also pensioners. Those two groups I want to provide extra financial support for. They will get extra cash, particularly over the winter in something called the ‘winter fuel payment’ and that will help during a really tricky period. Can I make these things happen quickly? Yes."
When Andi asked: "If you get into office will you make those things happen?" Mr Sunak replied: "One hundred percent. People saw me during the pandemic at a time when there was enormous anxiety and concerns over their jobs and families, and I stepped up and created something that no one knew about [furlough] and it worked. And I will do that again. People should have the certainty that I will do that, they’ve got the confidence, they’ve seen me in action before… and those are my values.
"I want to make sure that we particularly look after the most vulnerable in our society and I can guarantee that all the things I’ve just told you about will happen… that’s how you restore trust in government and politics. I’d rather lose than say things I don’t think can be delivered."
But Rochelle and Andi's chat with the possible future PM didn't impress fans, as amongst discussing current issues including the cost of living crisis, and rising inflation, the pair asked Mr Sunak about whether he liked fish and chips as he overheard a conversation in the latest This Morning's View segment. And after he was pictured in McDonald's this week, the pair went on to ask him what his go-to order was from the fast food chain.
Also, at the start of the interview, Rishi couldn't hide his excitement. Declaring how thrilled he was to be at This Morning, Mr Sunak said: "This is the most exciting interview I’ve done on this campaign… " When asked why, he said: "Well, because I grew up with Andi! It was the broom cupboard, it was Ed the Duck! That was my childhood… Byker Grove, Blue Peter, Newsround and onto Neighbours…"
And viewers were soon flocking to social media to slam the chat. @Expand_Culture tweeted: "Rochelle and Andy were the completely wrong presenters to be interviewing Rishi Sunak #ThisMorning." @Fifi_the_Witch said: "No wonder that was the interview he was most excited about. Conversations about broom cupboards and McDonalds are hardly going to challenge him, are they? #ThisMorning."
@LindaABishh commented: "Sorry but these two should not be doing this interview. It’s painful #thismorning." @leeleeCThomas fumed: "What a p**s easy interview. No wonder Rishi agreed to do it #ThisMorning." @Dmcclane29 shared: "Why are @thismorning giving @RishiSunak such a warm and fuzzy interview when the country is falling apart? I honestly couldn't care less about what Mcdonalds meal he pretends to like." @Lisahistoryhou1 added: "Rishi Sunak right now, being all matey and casual. Stick him in The Broom Cupboard, this is cringe!!! #ThisMorning."
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