Freddy Gray Freddy Gray

Why is Rishi Sunak scared of the Question Time audience?

Rishi Sunak faces the public on Question Time last night (Credit: BBC)

Before Rishi Sunak was allowed to talk on last night’s BBC Question Time Leaders’ Special, he had to receive a volley from Kevin, a bearded Geordie. ‘I’m asking if you would confess to us tonight even just a small amount of embarrassment to be leading the Conservative Party into this election,’ said Kev.

Sunak nodded, feebly, and said: ‘Well good evening, everyone. Fiona, thank you for inviting me’ – proving, once again, that he cannot think on his feet.

But it wasn’t just Rishi. The whole show was so grim. The QT format became a form of ritual torture, in which voters were egged on to pour scorn on the hapless pols. And hapless they were. Ed Davey, John Swinney, Keir Starmer, Rishi Sunak – four mediocre media performers, four men seeking to engage with an audience and failing; trying to exude charisma yet sounding dull and flat.

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