Rishi Sunak asked if he's 'captaining a sinking ship' on Titanic Quarter visit

24 May 2024 , 14:28

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Rishi Sunak asked if he's 'captaining a sinking ship' on Titanic Quarter visit

Rishi Sunak was asked if he was captaining a "sinking ship" as a record number of Tory MPs said they were quitting.

The floundering Prime Minister was challenged over his General Election prospects as he visited a maritime manufacturing facility in Belfast's Titanic quarter. A Belfast Live reporter pointed out the doomed vessel was built and designed nearby, adding: "Are you captaining a sinking ship going into this election?"

A clearly-irritated Mr Sunak said: "If you look at what's happened over the past few weeks, you can see our plan is working." It marks the latest awkward moment in a gaffe-strewn campaign, which began with drenched Mr Sunak announcing the election date in the pouring rain while his comments were drowned out by New Labour anthem 'Things can only get better'.

Rishi Sunak paid a visit to Belfast's Titanic Quarter on the second full day of campaigning (PA)

On the first proper day of campaigning, the PM was criticised for taking questions from a Tory councillor posed as an ordinary worker. He was also mocked for asking staff in a Welsh brewery if they were looking forward to "all the football", when their team failed to qualify for the Euros.

Former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson posted on X: "The deluge launch drowned out by D:Ream. A brewery visit with a teetotal PM, so no chance of a piss up. Now a site visit to something famous for sinking. Is there a double agent in CCHQ, and were they a headline writer in a previous life? Our candidates deserve better."

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In a further blow to the PM, the exodus of Tory MPs abandoning ship before the election surpassed the record set in 1997 ahead of Tony Blair's landslide victory. Some 78 Conservatives won't seek re-election, including Tory big beasts Theresa May, Sajid Javid, Ben Wallace and Matt Hancock.

Rishi Sunak's sudden announcement of a July 4 election has prompted more MPs to throw in the towel - with likely more to come. Former minister Sir John Redwood announced he is stepping down, along with ex Attorney General Sir Michael Ellis and former Business Secretary Greg Clark. Matt Hancock and Bob Stewart both had the party whip restored to let them step down as Conservatives.

Lizzy Buchan