Celebrity Gogglebox returned for a new season on Friday, and the cast was shown a BBC news clip about Andy Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by-election. Viewers unanimously praised naturalist Chris Packham for his candid criticism of the Labour leadership process.
Chris Packham's Democratic Critique
In the clip, Burnham addressed supporters, saying: "This is what people said directly to me, on the hundreds of doorsteps that I stood on. We have an opportunity to turn the tide, to make the country feel like it's working again."
Actress and singer Denise Van Outen said: "I get a better vibe from him than I do Keir Starmer." Her friend, presenter and DJ Johnny Vaughan, disagreed: "Keir Starmer is actually a smarter man."
Packham then told his step-daughter Megan McCubbin: "Can I just say, point out the bleeding obvious? The only people who have voted for Andy Burnham at the moment are the constituents of Makerfield."
He continued: "You and I haven't had a say in that, and now if he's going to be elected leader, you and I and the rest of the country aren't going to have a say in that. It will be the parliamentary Labour party who will have a say in that, which is a tiny number of people."
He added: "So we could end up with a Prime Minister that none of us have played any role in in electing whatsoever. Not none, but very, very few of us. And again, that doesn't really speak to a democracy, from my point of view."
Viewers and Cast React
One viewer commented on social media: "Exactly Chris! It's a bloody joke!" Another shared: "None of these people give their true analysis, they have to say what they're told to say, except it has to be said for Chris Peckham who gave his own thoughts and he was right."
Comedian Maisie Adam summarised Burnham as: "He doesn't feel like a politician, he feels like a nice Head of Year." Actor and pop royalty Martin Kemp concluded that politicians "all say the same thing."
Happy Mondays legend Shaun Ryder commented: "If Andy does become PM, we will have a northern Prime Minister. But his job isn't to be northern, it's to f***ing sort out the f***ing country." He offered to perform a live show for Burnham if he gets in, with Bez adding that they'll "get him a bucket hat."
Prime Minister's Resignation
The clip then showed the Prime Minister's resignation speech at Downing Street. Actor Michael Sheen commented: "That's got to be tough." Former rugby player and broadcaster Joe Marler said: "He's finally shown us the human side to him, that would have connected more with the world." Broadcaster Fearne Cotton likened the situation to show business: "I've been sacked loads of times without being told."
