Angry BBC One viewers switched off on Thursday night after a member of the Question Time audience claimed that Rishi Sunak is right to delay green policies – because ‘people on £200,000 are struggling’.
BBC Question Time host Fiona Bruce was chairing the debate in Ipswich in Suffolk with business minister Kevin Hollinrake; Labour’s shadow secretary for culture, media and sport Thangam Debbonaire, writer and free-speech advocate Ella Whelan and author, broadcaster Matthew Syed.
There, Fiona Bruce asked ‘Are Rishi Sunak’s net zero policies proportionate, or a desperate attempt to win votes?’
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It came after the Prime Minister managed to anger both the car industry and environmentalists at the same time by delaying the ban of the sale of petrol and diesel cars until 2035.
On Question Time, a member of the audience piped up to back Rishi – and it led to viewers switching off.
The audience member told Fiona: “There’s not that many proper electric chargers anywhere in the country and I think they realise it and at the moment everyone is struggling. Even if you’re on £100,000-£150,000, or even £200,000, you’re struggling in this country.”
(Image: BBC)
Fiona Bruce then replied: “What, struggling on £200,000 a year?”
“Yeah, yeah. Well a lot of people have to pay quarter of a million, £300,000, £400,000 for a house when they’re young. I think he’s being honest and when you think about it we’re wasting our time.”
The man then went on to make a claim about China, which is currently the world leader in renewable energy infrastructure investment.
Viewers were furious and switched off the debate.
@veritas_here said: “Struggling on £200,000 ?? Thats nearly ten times what I had to bring up two children. How can anyone possibly be struggling on that kind of income?”
@bradphillipsuk said: ““People on £200,000 are struggling” according to a #BBCQT audience member. Give me a break.”
@chrishallamlaw said: “Turns on @bbcquestiontime . Audience bloke says people on £200,000 a year are struggling and can’t afford net zero policies. Turns off question time.”
https://x.com/Parody_PM/status/1704978435938943396?s=20
@parodyPM said: “”People on £200,000 are struggling” Good to hear from someone as in touch with reality as I am. #bbcqt”
@andrewjazzie said: ““People are struggling … even on £200,000 a year” …. Someone’s having a giraffe.”
@playingablinder said: “So a fella on #BBCQuestionTime just said that ‘even people on £200,000 a year are struggling’ and, just ten minutes in, I’m switching it off. #bbcqt @bbcquestiontime”
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