Keir Starmer branded sandwiches a ‘great British institution’ after Kemi Badenoch dismissed them as not ‘real food’ and revealing she has a steak delivered to her instead
Keir Starmer has defended sandwiches as a “great British institution” after Kemi Badenoch dismissed them as not “real food”.
Ms Badenoch sparked a backlash after saying “lunch is for wimps” and ranting about sandwiches. In a magazine interview she revealed that she sometimes has a steak brought to her as she works.
The PM was surprised to learn this, his official spokesman said. The sarnie clash broke out after Ms Badenoch said: “I don’t think sandwiches are a real food, it’s what you have for breakfast.” No10 was having none of it.
Mr Starmer’s spokesman said: “I think he was surprised to hear that the leader of the Opposition has a steak brought in for lunch. The Prime Minister is quite happy with a sandwich lunch.”
The spokesman described the sandwich as a “great British institution” which, according to the British Sandwich Association, brings in £8 billion a year to the UK economy. Asked what the Prime Minister’s favourite sandwich is, the spokesman said: “I think he enjoys a tuna sandwich and occasionally a cheese toastie.”
Describing her daily routine, Ms Badenoch said: “What’s a lunch break? Lunch is for wimps. I have food brought in and I work and eat at the same time.” She added that she “will not touch bread if it’s moist”.
Her remarks sparked a backlash, with Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway saying: “It’s made our viewers very cross”. Former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng said: “I get where she’s coming on with sandwiches because, you know, those of us we have low carb diets and all of that sort of business, but it’s an individual choice.
“I don’t think that’s going to be a plank of the next Tory manifesto.” He jokingly distanced himself from the controversial remark, saying: “I don’t think she’s expressing a party line or anything.”
Ms Garraway said viewers were up in arms about Ms Badenoch’s attack on sandwiches. She read responses from the public, saying: “Bill says most of us don’t get subsidised meals, they can’t spend an hour or more for lunch so eating sandwiches is handy on the hoof.”
The host went on to say that another viewer, named Debbie, said many are eating sandwiches because they don’t need power to cook them. Ms Garraway said: “In fact, lots of viewers have said that they’re deciding whether to have a cooked lunch or dinner or have a sandwich and put another load of washing on.”
