This is potentially tragic but hear me out: often, when watching political interviews, I place myself in the position of the politician and wonder how I would answer the question.
I know the drill. I've worked for ministers, prepared questions as well as lines to take in response, and can predict what they are probably going to say, even if I'm not quite up to date with the exact position or the price of a pint of milk. That's because interviews, whether the combative John Humphrys sort or the more conversational, have a flow.
Voters may grow frustrated by politicians who don't answer the question – although the really skilled communicators get their message across without anyone realising they have failed to address the question. But we only really notice the politicians who fail to play the part.
Leaders should be good at this. Not everyone has the skills of a Bill Clinton or Tony Blair, but each really ought to avoid giant elephant traps. Rishi Sunak does not appear to be one of those.
I had every intention of ignoring it – I really don't think it's terribly important. But a prime minister whose greatest vulnerability with the public is his wealth and idea he's 'out of touch' readily agreeing to a £1,000 bet with Piers Morgan over whether migrants would be sent to Rwanda before the next election is sheer incompetence. I imagine Morgan was astonished that a senior politician engaged with it. Even Susan Hall would have demurred.
This unforced error was compounded by today's prime minister's questions. Amid the usual back and forth, Sunak made a jibe about Keir Starmer not knowing what a woman was – a reference to Labour's policy on transgender rights. Yet he did so while Brianna Ghey's mother, Esther, was due to be in the public gallery
Basic decency aside, do these things matter? Most voters don't pay close attention to political interviews, or PMQs, or even read daily newsletters. When they come to vote, it will largely be on economic matters and memories of how Liz Truss made their mortgage repayments spike.
Still, this is basic stuff. Sometimes politicians are handed a hospital pass (see: pretty much any cabinet minister who had to defend Partygate) and are unable to give a direct answer, either because they don't know it or they have to stick to an agreed line. It is painful but without it, collective responsibility disintegrates. Yet top-level politicians – in fact, rubbish ones too – really ought to avoid these sorts of unforced errors.
Sunak is not one solid PMQs away from overturning a 20-point polling deficit. But each and every day that goes by is less time for him to make an impact. All anyone knows about the Morgan interview is the bet. The headline from today's PMQs will be demands for an apology. And the government's message, such as it is, doesn't get a hearing.
In the comment pages, Sarah Baxter says nobody truly loves their jailer but Republicans are in awe of Trump's grip on their party. Homes and Property Editor Prudence Ivey reveals the London regeneration schemes that are actually good. While Chief Football Correspondent Dan Kilpatrick warns nostalgic Chelsea fans to think twice – Jose Mourinho's return would be a disaster.
And finally, this sounds like one of those fake showbiz news generators but Australian actress and singer Holly Valance has branded leftwing ideas “crap” and called for Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg to be prime minister. Kylie has been approached for comment.
