In a moment that has set social media alight, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn suffered an unfortunate slip of the tongue during a television interview, mistakenly referring to the Labour Party as "the Sultana".
The gaffe occurred on Tuesday morning while Mr. Corbyn was being interviewed on Times Radio. The independent MP for Islington North was discussing the current state of British politics when the breakfast-time blunder happened.
A Freudian Slip or Simple Mistake?
"I think the Sultana... the Labour Party is going to have to do a lot more than it's doing at the present time," Corbyn stated, before quickly correcting himself. The presenter, John Pienaar, could be heard chuckling in the background as Corbyn attempted to move past the error.
While seemingly a simple verbal stumble, the timing of the comment has led to widespread speculation. The incident took place just hours before Sir Keir Starmer, the current Labour leader, was due to deliver a major speech outlining the party's vision.
Social Media Erupts
The political blooper quickly gained traction online, with users on platform X (formerly Twitter) coining the hashtag #TheSultana. Critics were quick to suggest the mistake indicated a lack of focus, while supporters dismissed it as a harmless error anyone could make.
One user quipped, "Maybe he was just thinking about his breakfast," in a nod to the dried fruit often found in morning cereals. Another commented on the surreal nature of modern politics, stating, "We've had BoJo, now we have the Sultana. What's next?"
A Symbolic Blunder?
Political analysts suggest the slip may be more significant than it first appears. Coming from a man who led the party for five years, the mistake is seen by some as symbolic of his current detached relationship with the Labour leadership under Keir Starmer.
Mr. Corbyn has been sitting as an independent MP since 2020, after he was suspended from the Labour Party following a report into antisemitism within the organisation during his tenure. His relationship with the current party hierarchy has remained strained.
Whether a simple mistake or a telling Freudian slip, the 'Sultana' incident has provided a moment of light relief—and ammunition for critics—in the often intense world of UK politics.
