By most accounts, last night’s ITV debate was a place where balanced discourse, reason and hope went to die.
Nothing quite sums up the absolute futility of the discussion like this clip of Boris Johnson blustering and interrupting Jeremy Hunt in a bullying manner for the best part of a minute, which seems to stretch out into eternity.
While the snippet is best summarised by ITV host Julie Etchingham’s fairly fraught protestation of “Stop, please Mr Johnson”, it’s also worth noting that his friendly “Boris” mask seems to slip somewhat as he talks over his opponent in an increasingly aggressive fashion.
After he'd finished repeatedly hammering Jeremy Hunt to answer a question and then refusing to let him answer, Mr Hunt then turned this back on him and made a salient point:
Because Boris never answers the question, we’ve got absolutely no idea what a Boris premiership would be about.
People showed their disgust on Twitter.
If you are wondering of the state of #UKPolitics this morning, watch this... https://t.co/GjGRqnRVK0— SiaSeas (@SiaSeas) 1562742526
My God, Boris Johnson comes across here as a complete Jeremy Hunt. https://t.co/b4Vy7lH6Yc— David Baddiel (@David Baddiel) 1562707621
@BuzzFeedUKPol The look of disgust at his complete lack of manners. Amazing that he makes Hunt look statesmanlike,… https://t.co/gYfmoMj1nP— Simon Ellis (@Simon Ellis) 1562704506
I imagine this, but very angry and threatening, is much like what is on that flat recording. https://t.co/0UsZgvzNhw— woodo (@woodo) 1562707932
@BuzzFeedUKPol Ridiculous behaviour - I have seen very young children behave far better— J (@J) 1562706645
@BuzzFeedUKPol It takes an extraordinarily unpleasant person to make @Jeremy_Hunt seem the better choice.— Simon fae Standingstone ::🏴🇪🇺🌍:: (@Simon fae Standingstone ::🏴🇪🇺🌍::) 1562707923
It did, however, give many a sense of relief that they had missed the debate.
Glad I missed this. https://t.co/2Qt64mDADz— Matthew Scott (@Matthew Scott) 1562711737
@brexitisdying @BuzzFeedUKPol No do, it does get better. Said no one.— Matt (@Matt) 1562716857
@BuzzFeedUKPol Fucking hell. I'm so glad I didn't watch the #ITVDebate As someone who has worked in the NHS, I ha… https://t.co/nOQ4I6KiFq— John Peek💙Centrist Lib Dirtbag & Tricksy Remainer (@John Peek💙Centrist Lib Dirtbag & Tricksy Remainer) 1562709974
Others feared for the future of the nation.
Like a choice between being hung drawn and quartered or burnt at the stake https://t.co/QEVCBLJTrY— terry christian (@terry christian) 1562746722
November 2019: this walking disaster, made from a mop & a pulsating sack of rancid offal, stumbles up to the podium… https://t.co/vgMcP5XuEO— Adam (@Adam) 1562745361
Boris Johnson remains the bookies' favourite to become Britain's next prime minister.