On Tuesday evening, the five remaining candidates in the Tory leadership race congregated in the BBC studios for a debate... of sorts.
What followed was possibly one of the worst 60 minutes of television that the BBC has ever broadcast, as Emily Maitlis attempted to prise any answers out of the five candidates.
The whole set-up started out as a debacle and then descended into a farce with Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, Jeremy Hunt, Sajid Javid and Rory Stewart all trying to tell us why they should be the next prime minister.
The latter of these five, Rory Stewart, was probably the only one who did himself any favours, but his demeanour and mannerisms throughout the whole debate was odd to say the least.
What was up with his legs?
Rather than sit on a stool in a normal manner he decided to sit right on the edge of the seat with his feet placed firmly on the ground and, at one point, did something quite odd with his neck.
https://t.co/K7oPCJc0Bf— . (@.) 1560886794
"I think I'm feeling it, yeah" https://t.co/KfjsKSStn6— Michael Walker (@Michael Walker) 1560886275
Tag yourself https://t.co/pIIrnOj3ao— Joey D'Urso (@Joey D'Urso) 1560886865
#BBCOurNextPM https://t.co/qAiKFFDeme— HappyToast ★ (@HappyToast ★) 1560885220
Where did Rory's tie go?
That wasn't Stewart's only bizarre moment of the evening. The MP started the debate off with his tie on and by the end of the evening, it was nowhere to be seen.
Rory Stewart taking his tie off mid-debate is unbelievably cringeworthy https://t.co/WE8zOtKhfx— Hannah Jane Parkinson (@Hannah Jane Parkinson) 1560885735
When did Rory take his tie off? Power move. #BBCDebate https://t.co/rylCaTzaHD— Ned Simons (@Ned Simons) 1560885650
Has Rory Stewart removed his tie during the second question? Is he going to remove another item with each round as… https://t.co/qo7ootlabP— Isabel Hardman (@Isabel Hardman) 1560885541
Is this a boy band concert or game show?
The unusual set-up of the five candidates all sat in a semi-circle on stools made it look like some sort of small and intimate boy band concert or an episode of Blind Date.
The woman behind the Blind Date screen is about to get a shock https://t.co/Q1u43cMSgb— Matt Chorley (@Matt Chorley) 1560887898
This is just like Blind Date except that the winner's going to fuck everyone #BBCOurNextPM https://t.co/RI01EHCJJG— 2022's Neil Miles (@2022's Neil Miles) 1560886084
The Backstop Boys https://t.co/4DYSZUkwRz— Olaf Falafel (@Olaf Falafel) 1560886827
Whatever Boris Johnson said...
There is almost no need for these debates to happen or for Johnson to have taken part as he is so far ahead in the polls it would take a miracle for him to fail now.
Literally, the only person standing between Johnson and Number 10 now is himself and by golly, he tried his best.
🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢 Boris Johnson just completely denied responsibility for how his words as foreign secretary extended the se… https://t.co/DRmTgbMiZp— Femi (@Femi) 1560901741
Boris just tried twice and failed to remember Abdullah's name. Not a great look especially when asked about this is… https://t.co/fPyf4jm8hT— Paul Waugh (@Paul Waugh) 1560887051
Strangely Boris’ Muslim great-grandfather spirit guide is not helping him remember Abdullah’s name.— David Baddiel (@David Baddiel) 1560887070
#BBCOurNextPM Racist Boris Johnson not remembering the name of Abdullah, DESPITE BEING REMINDED TWICE https://t.co/BMjlCFLZTj— Will Black (@Will Black) 1560888252
Emily Maitlis.
The BBC host was given the unenviable task of trying to compare this ensemble and make it in any way presentable. She tried. She really tried...
#BBCOurNextPM Emily Maitlis be trying to get Boris Johnson to answer her questions like: https://t.co/Oiwa6zugeH— ✌️Martin 🏳️🌈 (@✌️Martin 🏳️🌈) 1560888254
If we have to have one of the people in this picture as our next Prime Minister can it be Emily Maitlis please?… https://t.co/TFovlelDS6— Sophie Walker (@Sophie Walker) 1560889617
Boris Johnson refused to answer Emily Maitlis' several attempts at asking him whether those earning £79,000 would b… https://t.co/sNOs8QLxJp— Femi (@Femi) 1560900209
Emily Maitlis puts the nation out of its misery. Thank god it's over #BBCOurNextPM— Robert Peston (@Robert Peston) 1560887938
The questions from the public were possibly the only highlight.
The likes of Erin from Glasgow, Carmella from Southampton and Tina from Tunbridge Wells all stole the show in their own unique way.
We are all Carmella from Southampton. https://t.co/EWNRM5UuhY— Jim Fraser Rae (@Jim Fraser Rae) 1560888466
Erin from Glasgow spoke for a nation last night. https://t.co/ZpKrMKZYzC— David Lammy (@David Lammy) 1560927419
Iconic expression from Erin. She hates them all #BBCDebate https://t.co/zPsL2SOjpL— Hannah Jane Parkinson (@Hannah Jane Parkinson) 1560887806
Only Conservative party members can vote in this so, seriously, what's the point?
We can’t actually vote on any of this. This is like a torturer describing at length how they’re going to fuck you u… https://t.co/wOXqkanoAW— James Felton (@James Felton) 1560887064
So, one candidate who understands the Irish border. One who doesn’t. One who thinks they can buy it. One who can na… https://t.co/TBCGIG9ljf— Patrick Kielty (@Patrick Kielty) 1560894598
If you think that was bad, wait until the swimwear round. #BBCOurNextPM— Hugo Rifkind (@Hugo Rifkind) 1560888139
Big winners from tonight: 1. Theresa May 2. Jeremy Corbyn 3. People doing something else. #BBCOurNextPM— Stig Abell (@Stig Abell) 1560887959
#BBCOurNextPM At least you don’t have to live with one of them...— Larry the Cat (@Larry the Cat) 1560888209