Politics funny nigel farage Rishi Sunak
Nigel Farage dunked on Sunak’s D-Day exit – and this response deserves a medal
Amid the sombre and moving celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings of Normandy, it didn’t go unnoticed that prime minister Rishi Sunak left the proceedings early.
Odd decision for Sunak not to attend world leaders D-day event in Normandy and instead return early to UK to campaign. pic.twitter.com/mgHmuLNP5M
— Pippa Crerar (@PippaCrerar) June 6, 2024
There were rumours that Sunak had ducked out early to get back to the UK to film a TV interview – and that was later confirmed by The Mirror’s John Stevens.
Confirmed: Rishi Sunak returned from D-Day for ITV interview, @PaulBrandITV says on News At Ten
— John Stevens (@johnestevens) June 6, 2024
Turns out the PM just had to abandon the UK delegation that was marking one of the most important events in world history when Allied forces invaded France to help to liberate Europe from the Nazis – in order to film a piece with ITV News in which he doubled down on his contentious claims about the tax implications of a Labour victory in the General Election.
EXCL: In his first interview since Tuesday’s debate, Sunak denies he is a “liar”.
Starmer has repeatedly accused him of lying about Labour’s tax plans.
“It’s desperate stuff. They are obviously very rattled”, Sunak says.
Full iv Wed 7pm @ITVTonight.
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) June 6, 2024
Needless to say, it has not gone done well with commentators and other political figures.
One of the greatest privileges of the office of Prime Minister is to be there to honour those who served, yet Rishi Sunak abandoned them on the beaches of Normandy.
It is a total dereliction of duty and shows why this Conservative government just has to go.
— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) June 7, 2024
What a vivid and shocking contrast: the sacrifice of all those brave men so that 80 years on the prime minister could cut short his visit to where they fell so that he could return to London to attack his opponent.
On such judgements we learn about character https://t.co/EXokWMJuW8— Jon Sopel (@jonsopel) June 7, 2024
PM Ditches D-Day.
Sunak insultingly and inexplicably skipping part of the D-Day commemoration in France to record an ITV election interview back in Britain is today’s @DailyMirror splash.
Is the Conservative Party trying to lose? pic.twitter.com/XcLkKM5hOp
— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin_Maguire) June 7, 2024
Newsnight analyse why Rishi Sunak left the D-Day commemorations early, and it’s not pretty
Nicholas Watt, “D-Day 1984 Margaret Thatcher was there. 1994 John Major was there. 2004 Tony Blair was there. This afternoon Rishi Sunak was there but then he wasn’t there”
“We have the… pic.twitter.com/uT5z93BOo2
— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) June 6, 2024
Rishi Sunak thinks he’s the cleverest most important man in any room. His decision yesterday was made on that basis. He thought what he had to do was more important, he always thinks he is more important. Dripping not just in rain but also in privilege
— Jess Phillips (@jessphillips) June 7, 2024
The prime minister has since apologised, calling his departure “a mistake“.
The 80th anniversary of D-Day has been a profound moment to honour the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our values, our freedom and our democracy.
This anniversary should be about those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The last thing…
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) June 7, 2024
Of course, that hasn’t stopped people from poking fun at Sunak’s latest unforced error too.
“GET OUT OF MY WAY OLD MAN, PAUL BRAND IS WAITING” pic.twitter.com/hgbSjInFQn
— Godspeed You Black Tamperer (ft Maya) (@twlldun) June 7, 2024
So basically Rishi Sunak could have stayed at the D Day military commemorations but he left early because a full day of National Service is too much for the man launching a year of it?
— Sophie Heawood (@heawood) June 6, 2024
To use another Seinfeld example, Sunak skipped D-Day to tell ITV that “the Jerk Store called, and they’re all out of you” https://t.co/MJI0cq9jOv
— John Rain (@ItsJohnRain) June 7, 2024
“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the – sorry, there’s the helicopter. Dave, you finish this” pic.twitter.com/lU9IkQHXxm
— Andrew Hunter Murray (@andrewhunterm) June 7, 2024
One person who was vocally critical of Sunak’s decision to leave was the newly-installed/self-declared Reform leader Nigel Farage.
The Prime Minister has ducked out of the international D-Day event to fly back to the UK to campaign.
I am here in Normandy in a personal capacity because I think it matters. Does he?
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) June 6, 2024
Which, in turn, produced this all-timer of a response to Farage’s outrage from writer Rick Burin.
Not a Farage fan but turning up for this one even though your side lost is class
— Rick Burin (@rickbur1n) June 6, 2024
The reviews for Rick’s response were unanimous raves.
Tweet of the week.
— Chris Owens (@likesohushhush) June 6, 2024
Took me a few seconds to get this, but oh, it’s so good
— Simon_Buck (@Harry__Harlow) June 6, 2024
If Twitter had an Olympics… pic.twitter.com/0Ze2NNQAsl
— Don’t Let the Bar Stewards Grind You Down (@DonStewards) June 6, 2024
You are my hero.
— Kevin Male (@KevinMale5) June 6, 2024
And here were we thinking only Tommy Robinson would have the most brutal D-Day responses of the week.
Truly a fitting end for Nigel Farage’s big week of his milkshake bringing all the election focus to the yard.
Huzzah Rick!