A LABOUR candidate has clashed with TV host Martin Lewis while live on a popular breakfast show over the council tax system in England.
Liz Kendall, the Labour candidate for Leicester West and the shadow work and pensions secretary, got into a heated exchange with presenter Lewis on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Wednesday.
The intense debate began after the TV host quizzed Kendall on the current council tax bands and system in England.
Lewis, a journalist best known for his money-saving advice, asked: “Do you think the current council tax bands and system are fair?”
“We are not going to be reforming or changing that,” replied Kendall.
She then continued: “We have been really straight with people with our manifesto.”
The presenter quickly interjected, stating he had not asked whether Labour was planning on reforming the system, and that the question was if she thinks the current system is fair.
Liz Kendal loses temper and shouts at National Treasure and Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis.pic.twitter.com/1ZgX8egDSb
— Chłoddy (@OfSymbols) June 26, 2024
Kendall at this point was visibly riled up and replied: “There are many things that are unfair in life, Martin, as you know.
“I mean I see right across my constituency the state of housing, across the country, which is why we need to build more homes.
“People left waiting months and months on waiting lists, in pain, suffering, that’s wrong and unfair.”
At this point, Lewis again interjected as he said: “So, am I understanding correctly you won’t be doing anything about it?”
This led to Kendall emphatically crossing her arms and swinging them in a downward motion as she raised her voice: “No, we are not going to be changing, let me set out why.
“I understand, I see it every single day, how many things we need to put right in this country.
“But we’ve got to be honest with people about what our priorities are and our priorities are not to be raising income tax, VAT, or national insurance because that is what we think is the wrong approach.
“Our priority is to grow the economy.”
Again, Lewis attempted to interject but Kendall continued with her statement.
The Labour candidate continued talking for around a further 30 seconds while the TV host tried to intervene and ask follow-up questions to Kendall’s statement.
Eventually, Lewis was able to interject as he said there wasn’t much time left for that segment of the show and he had further questions.
One social media user said that in the clip Kendall "loses temper and shouts".
