The lunchtime debate in Westminster took an unexpected turn today when Sir Keir Starmer defended the humble sandwich as a ‘great British institution’.
His comments came in response to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch’s controversial statement that sandwiches are not ‘real food’.
The Prime Minister also joined the conversation, sharing his fondness for tuna sandwiches, much to the surprise of some.
Kemi Badenoch’s Bold Remarks
Kemi Badenoch, in an interview with The Spectator, made waves by claiming that ‘lunch is for wimps’ and questioning the concept of a lunch break altogether.
“What’s a lunch break?” she asked, revealing her preference for multitasking by eating while working.
She further stated, “I have food brought in and I work and eat at the same time. There’s no time… sometimes I will get a steak.”
Badenoch also shared her disdain for soggy bread, saying, “I’m not a sandwich person, I don’t think sandwiches are a real food.” According to her, sandwiches are more suitable for breakfast than for lunch.
A Defending Downing Street
In response to Badenoch’s remarks, Downing Street emphasized that sandwiches contribute significantly to the UK economy, with the British Sandwich Association estimating an £8 billion annual contribution.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman noted that while the opposition leader may prefer steak for lunch, the PM himself is content with a good sandwich.
When asked about Sir Keir’s preferences, the spokesman revealed that the Labour leader enjoys a tuna sandwich, occasionally swapping it for a cheese toastie.
Badenoch’s Retort on Social Media
The sandwich saga didn’t end there. Later in the day, Kemi Badenoch took to social media to continue the argument.
She criticized the Prime Minister for responding to her lunch comments but not addressing issues affecting farmers, referencing Labour’s proposals on agricultural property relief and inheritance tax.
Badenoch accused the PM of not caring about farmers, saying, “He refused to answer questions because he doesn’t care. It’s an ideological attack on farmers and will destroy lives.”
Kemi Badenoch’s New Role as Conservative Leader
Badenoch also reflected on her experience as Conservative leader, six weeks into the job.
She likened her new role to that of a startup, emphasizing how the office’s dynamics have changed since she replaced Rishi Sunak.
“Everyone around me in the leader of the opposition office is there because of me,” she said.
She also described the role as less lonely than being a Cabinet minister and highlighted the difference in how the Conservative office operates compared to traditional government departments.
Former Cabinet Members and Their Sandwich Preferences
Badenoch’s aversion to sandwiches stands in stark contrast to her former colleagues in the Cabinet.
During the 2019 general election campaign, Rishi Sunak, then Prime Minister, proudly declared himself a “big sandwich person,” with sandwiches being one of his favorite meals.
Former Deputy PM Dominic Raab’s sandwich order was so famous that it became known as the ‘Dom Raab special’.
His daily go-to order from Pret a Manger included a chicken Caesar and bacon baguette, a superfruit salad, and a watermelon smoothie.
Sir Keir Starmer’s Dietary Preferences
As for Sir Keir Starmer, his dietary choices have evolved over the years.
Having stopped eating meat around 25 years ago after university, he eventually reintroduced fish into his diet.
Last month, in an appearance on This Morning, the PM shared his signature dish, a pasta bake, which he often makes for his children.
Describing it as a dish he is asked to cook repeatedly, he explained that it involves layers of sauce and different cheeses, topped off with more sauce.
The lunchtime debate shows no signs of slowing down, with sandwiches clearly remaining a contentious topic in British politics.
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