Good Morning Britain viewers were left perplexed by the music playing during Sir Keir Starmer's resignation speech. Cameras assembled outside Downing Street on Monday 22 June for the eagerly awaited statement from the Prime Minister, in which he announced his departure.
Viewers React to Background Music
Susanna Reid and Ed Balls, presenting an extended edition of Good Morning Britain, which continued into Lorraine Kelly's ITV time slot, had been examining the resignation ahead of the speech, before providing commentary until the programme's conclusion. They also paused to address the music audible throughout the broadcast, after reactions from numerous viewers.
One viewer questioned: "Who is playing that music near Downing Street whilst Keir Starmer is giving his resignation speech," reports the Mirror. "The music in the background of Keir Starmer's speech is sending me," another said. A third echoed: "The music in the background of Keir Starmer's resignation is taking me OUT." Another wrote: "What's that music behind Keir Starmer as he announces his resignation?! Is that a Christmas song?! My God!"
On-Air Discussion
Back in the studio after the speech, Susanna and guest Kevin Maguire addressed the distraction. Susanna asked: "People might be asking, what was the music being played?" The Daily Mirror associate editor explained that it came from protestors outside Downing Street. He went on: "You always get a group who started out as anti-Brexit, I think they've just gone more general protesting all the time. It's kind of surreal that the Prime Minister is making the statement of his life, resigning as the Prime Minister of the UK, Great Britain, and Northern Ireland, and you've got a hymn in the background. I suppose it is politics, democracy, and that includes when Andy Burnham was elected, he had a bloke dressed as a bin and another as a fox next to him."
Emotional Conclusion
Sir Keir became emotional as he concluded his speech, saying leaving the "biggest job in the country" means he can now spend more time on "the most important job". Fighting back tears, he said: "Being the best husband I can, to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad. And being the best dad that I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy." Susanna had earlier confirmed Good Morning Britain would be running into Lorraine's slot, announcing: "We are now in rolling news mode, we will be on air until 10am this morning because we've anticipated it all morning." Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.
