Good Morning Britain viewers were left baffled by the music heard over Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation speech on Monday, June 22. Cameras were waiting outside Downing Street for the highly anticipated statement from the Prime Minister, in which he confirmed he was resigning.
Viewers React to Background Music
Susanna Reid and Ed Balls, hosting an extended run of Good Morning Britain that ran into Lorraine Kelly’s ITV slot, had been discussing the resignation in the run-up to the speech, followed by analysis until the end of the show. They also took a moment to acknowledge the music heard over the broadcast, following reactions from several viewers.
One person wrote: “Who is playing that music near Downing Street whilst Keir Starmer is giving his resignation speech.” Another said: “The music in the background of Keir Starmer's speech is sending me.” 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!”
“Someone smash that music player up,” another fumed, as someone else asked: “What’s the classical music?” “What’s with background music?” yet another questioned, while one person wrote: “Why's ode to joy playing in the background of Keir Starmer's resignation?”
Explanation from the Studio
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.”
Starmer's 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.
