Matt Hancock has been pictured arriving at Brisbane Airport as he prepares to enter the Australian jungle for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! It comes as he explained his decision to join the reality show to a UK newspaper.
The former health secretary Hancock said he has gone to Australia so he can “go to where the people are — not to sit in ivory towers in Westminster”. Writing in The Sun, Mr Hancock said: “While there will undoubtedly be those who think I shouldn’t go, I think it’s a great opportunity to talk directly to people who aren’t always interested in politics, even if they care very much about how our country’s run.
“It’s our job as politicians to go to where the people are — not to sit in ivory towers in Westminster. “There are many ways to do the job of being an MP. Whether I’m in camp for one day or three weeks, there are very few places people will be able to see a politician as they really are.”
He added: “So, the truth is, I haven’t lost my marbles or had one too many pina coladas. It’s something I’ve given a lot of thought to. I was elected by the people, and it’s important to engage with voters, especially younger voters, no matter where they are, and show the human side of politicians.”
Mr Hancock has been stripped of the Tory whip after signing up to join the reality TV show. Allies have said he would use his appearance to promote his work on dyslexia.
However, former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale has said Mr Hancock’s decision to join I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! was “naive and brave”. The former politician entered the Australian jungle as part of the show in 2017 following her resignation as Scottish Labour leader.
“I think it’s brave and naive. It was brave and naive when I did it. He’s far more high profile than I ever was,” told STV News At Six on Tuesday evening. “A lot of people have a much stronger opinion of him now and not necessarily a positive one,” she added. “It was definitely a riskier decision for him to do it than it was for me at the time.”
A senior Tory in Matt Hancock’s West Suffolk constituency said he is looking forward to seeing the former health secretary “eating a kangaroo’s penis”. Andy Drummond, who is chairman of Newmarket Conservatives and deputy chairman (political) of West Suffolk Conservative Association, said: “I’m looking forward to him eating a kangaroo’s penis. Quote me. You can quote me on that.”
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