Boris Johnson was appearing on Good Morning Britain for the first time since 2019
Boris Johnson was grilled by Susanna Reid in a car crash interview on Tuesday in which he admitted to not doing enough to help struggling families, and even asked who Lorraine Kelly was.
The PM also faced questioning over the partygate scandal and whether he was a liar.
‘Are you honest Prime Minister?’
In his first interview on GMB since 2019, Johnson was asked by Reid whether he was “honest.”
Johnson replied: “Yes, and I think the best way to judge that is to look at what this government says it’s going to do and what it does.”
Reid then cut in and asked for a “straight answer.”
The prime minister responded that he does his best to “represent faithfully and accurately what I believe” but admitted that sometimes he is “controversial” and “offends people.”
'Are you honest Prime Minister?' – @susannareid100
Watch GMB on ITV and ITV Hub now as Susanna interviews Prime Minister Boris Johnson 👉 https://t.co/6iQ6ebeOEQ pic.twitter.com/GyYTdGSn8v
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) May 3, 2022
Cost of living crisis admission – ‘the cost of chickens is crazy’
When asked about the current cost of living crisis, Johnson admitted that the £9bn in government help promised by Chancellor Rishi Sunak was “not going to be enough to immediately cover everyone’s costs.”
But he warned that increasing state support could drive inflation up even more.
Johnson said there is a “global context” caused by a surge in energy prices which is hitting all aspects of the economy including food: “The cost of chickens is crazy.”
Speaking about the energy crisis, Johnson added: “This country is in the insane position of having to take in, pipe in, electricity from France and elsewhere because we haven’t done enough to invest in our own security of energy and electricity.”
'You say you're doing everything you can. You're not.'@susannareid100 asks Boris Johnson if he is in touch with what people are experiencing amid the cost of living crisis.
Susanna asks the PM why he can't impose a windfall tax on fuel companies. pic.twitter.com/AUeZIvMJld
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) May 3, 2022
Boris’ freedom pass claim
Reid then confronted him with the story of a 77-year-old pensioner who sits on the bus all day using her freedom pass because she can’t afford to heat her home, and has resorted to only eating one meal a day in order to cut down on spending.
Johnson responded rather coldly, and incorrectly, by saying he had introduced the pass. The freedom pass was introduced in 1973.
The Prime Minister in fact introduced the 60+ Concessionary Travel Scheme. This covers those over 60 who do not qualify for the Freedom Pass, which is only eligible for those of retirement age.
The Freedom pass was introduced in 1973
— SomersetChris (@somersetchris) May 3, 2022
Elsie… Has one meal a day and uses her freedom pass to travel on the buses most of the day, to save her energy at home! Boris response “I just want to remind you, I created the freedom pass! 🤦🏾♀️😳 #BorisJohnson #BorisJohnsoninterview #susannareid #GMB
— Judi Love (Blue Tick) 😂 (@1Judilove) May 3, 2022
https://twitter.com/tompeck/status/1521395503975604224
Johnson’s response prompted outrage online.
Chris Bryant, the Labour MP for Rhondda, said: “Basically Boris Johnson has absolutely nothing to say to Elsie.
“Or anyone else facing the Tory cost of living crisis.”
Brian Paddick, Lib Dems spokesman for the House of Lords said: “Dreadful answer & Tory government forced TfL to stop 24 hr older people’s bus pass use before 9am.”
Basically @BorisJohnson has absolutely nothing to say to Elsie. Or anyone else facing the Tory cost of living crisis. #GMB @GMB
— Chris Bryant (@RhonddaBryant) May 3, 2022
Meanwhile, one user said the PM’s response was “absolutely appalling in every single way possible,” while another said Johnson had “no empathy” for Elsie.
https://twitter.com/mjtward19/status/1521404181260685313
He had not a single answer for her. And seemingly no empathy either if his first thought was ‘I did that’ about her having to ride buses all day to keep warm
— Rachel Love-Howseman (@rachlove31) May 3, 2022
‘Who’s Lorraine?’
But for some the most shocking moment perhaps came at the end, when Johnson revealed just how out of touch he is.
As the interview came to a close, Reid told Johnson that they had to wrap it up because “Lorraine is waiting” to start her show, which follows GMB.
The PM replied: “Who’s Lorraine?”
Susanna Reid – #lorraine is waiting
Boris Johnson – Who's Lorraine?
Susanna Reid – Lorraine is a legend pic.twitter.com/hNtSJbIqw8
— Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Haggis_UK) May 3, 2022
Of course, Lorraine then gave a typically iconic response, simply saying “wow.”
This was the first time that the prime minister had appeared on the ITV morning news show since 2019, when he infamously hid in a fridge to avoid questions.
We’ll let you be the judge on whether this was a more successful outing or not.
Related links:
- Over half of voters would choose Keir Starmer over Boris Johnson, new poll shows
- Naga Munchetty accidentally tells BBC Breakfast viewers Boris Johnson spent ‘night in prison’
- Partygate report so damning Boris Johnson ‘will have to quit’, reports claim
