Good Morning Britain viewers accused presenters Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley of repeatedly interrupting Prime Minister Andy Burnham during his first live interview on the ITV programme, with some describing the exchange as "appalling."
Prime Minister questioned on election and EU
Speaking to Burnham as he approaches his 100th day in office this week, the presenters asked whether he intends to call another general election and about his ambitions to rejoin the EU during his lifetime.
Reid asked: "Are you softening us all up for a general election?" Burnham replied: "No, I've ruled that out. I don't..." Reid then pressed whether he had "absolutely" ruled it out, as the Prime Minister had claimed. He added: "I just don't think people want another backwards-looking squabble; they want me to get on with the job and make life better for people, which is what I'm trying to do."
Brexit stance defended
Reid pointed out that despite his reluctance to revisit past disputes, Burnham had recently raised the prospect of rejoining the EU. Burnham replied: "We have a decade of experience now looking back at Brexit. I don't think it has played out as people said it would at the time. We got a harder Brexit than what was proposed in the referendum campaign. It's weakened our economy, it's also weakened our control of immigration, and that might surprise people because that was the big issue."
He made clear he was not advocating for rejoining during this Parliament, acknowledging they were "way away from that" at this particular moment. He told Reid and Madeley: "What I am saying is we need to take some practical steps to make the arrangement work better than the arrangement we've got right now."
Viewers react to interview style
Reid interrupted to point out that 65 per cent of his own constituents backed leaving the EU, asking whether he had let them down or if they had made the wrong decision, given that he promised them when standing as their MP that he would not reopen this debate. He responded: "I said we wouldn't rerun the referendum and that's not what I'm doing. The British public, the people of Makerfield, will be the bosses here; they will decide what happens in relation to Brexit..."
Reid interrupted once more, noting they had already made their decision through their vote in 2016. Madeley suggested Burnham was "testing the mood" to gauge the reaction from both the public and media, to determine whether people wish to rejoin the EU. He responded: "I was asked a question, Richard, so I didn't fly that kite. I was asked and I try to give honest answers. I don't think things have worked out as people said they would at the time."
During the discussion, many viewers felt the pair were cutting across the Prime Minister while he was responding to questions and continually asking him the same thing. One viewer on X said: "That interview was appalling. Both Presenters spent a large % of it simply interrupting Andy Burnham. Bad manners." Another wrote: "Stop bl**dy interrupting him, Richard and Susanna! Appalling interview etiquette." A further comment read: "How many times do you want him to answer the same question?? #gmb"
Some viewers praised the interview, with one person commenting: "Brilliant performance from the Prime Minister, reassuring and competent. We're finally getting somewhere." Another added: "Great interview, PM well done @andyburnham!@GMB"
Good Morning Britain is available to watch weekdays on ITV from 6am.
