As the Prime Minister Liz Truss was grilled by Laura Kuenssberg, viewers questioned whether she REALLY understands that 'people are worried'. The PM was quizzed by the BBC presenter on Sunday morning (October 2).
The corporation's flagship Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show got off to a shaky start as it glitched while the PM defended her tax-cutting policies. The show cut to the BBC's opening title, before returning to the PM's interview. Many said the crash was an omen of what was to come.
The Prime Minister was questioned on the economy and the fallout of the mini-budget, which led to major turbulence and uncertainty.
Ms Truss admitted the government ‘should have laid the ground better’ for the budget. Ms Truss also said Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s £45bn tax cut, which plunged financial markets into turmoil, was a decision made by him - and him alone, not involving the rest of the cabinet.
The reaction on social media matched the magnitude of the admission - and highlighted further widespread fears for the economy, with energy bills set to continue to rise and mortgages in turmoil.
Many people tweeted that the Prime Minister was dodging questions.
Twitter user @shimlahp007 said: “Liz Truss understands people are worried… I am SCARED to turn my heating on... something I never feared before.”
@Rhian82 posted: “So Liz Truss refused to allow people to go into this winter worrying about energy bills, but she's absolutely fine for them to be worrying about feeding their children or losing their home." That comment, on the Prime Minister’s energy bills package, came after Ms Truss said she could not let people head into winter without financial support on that score.
For many social media users, help with their energy bills has not come close to sorting their other money problems.
Ms Truss refused to rule out cuts to public services and also would not commit to increasing benefits in line with inflation in April, as had previously been promised by then-PM Boris Johnson.
She did however commit to the triple lock for pensioners and confirmed she would be keeping the abolition of the top rate of tax - another controversial move for those who say she is prioritising the wealthy.
Football podcast host Jay Motty tweeted: “'We're not living in a perfect world' says Liz Truss, on Laura Kuenssberg's show.
“Not after a perfect world, but one where bankers aren't rolling in dough, while people are skint and services are facing more cuts would be nice.”
According to Laura Kuenssberg's fellow political commentator Jon Sopel, the Prime Minister may feel she fared better than what has been dubbed a ‘car crash’ tour of local radio stations last week. Trouble could be on the horizon, however, as guest on the Sunday morning television programme, Michael Gove, admitted he could not vote for his own Prime Minister’s budget.
Jon Sopel tweeted: “I think if you’re Liz Truss you’re going to be pretty pleased with the way that interview went - Maybe the most remarkable thing about the Laura Kuenssberg show was the Michael Gove int. A cabinet colleague til a few weeks ago eviscerating her plan and not committing to vote for the tax changes. On eve of party conference to boot. That spells trouble.”
Some people were just irritated the PM took so long to answer questions.
@dust_heat posted: "I swear galaxies are born in the time it takes Liz Truss to answer a question."
Ashley Bird said: "Has Liz Truss ever given an interview that wasn't a car crash?"
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