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Football fever has well and truly gripped the nation and is making people do some rather outlandish things.
And it seems politicians are not immune to this, with Jacob Rees-Mogg deciding to break out into his own version of John Barnes’ rap from World In Motion in the middle of the House of Commons.
Yes, really.
The Conservative minister quoted New Order’s Italia ‘90 anthem in a slow and practised way, before praising the “excellent leadership from England manager Gareth Southgate” (also flagged by Gary Neville after the game) for guiding the men’s team to Sunday’s Euro 2020 final against Italy.
Some people on Twitter found the bizarre moment rather cringe:
The John Barnes recital prompted others to report the video hoping that it gets taken down.
While some simply mocked the Conservative minister.
The bizarre moment unfolded after Labour shadow Commons leader Thangam Debbonaire said Prime Minister Boris Johnson should spend some time “studying at the Gareth Southgate school of leadership”.
She said the England manager “inspires his players to be the best they can be and to do it for their country, he backs them in their campaigning for social and racial justice, even under criticism, he instils relentless focus on hard work, he inspires them to be gracious in victory as well as learn from experience, and he’s rightly identified these values as patriotism”.
She said the Government should “honour” the England team by focusing on other British values such as international aid, the NHS, the environment and a Covid public inquiry.
Ms Debbonaire added: “In contrast to the Prime Minister, Gareth Southgate and the England team value hard work, discipline, and preparation.
“The British people seem to appreciate those qualities, so for the sake of our country and the wonderful people who live and work here, I hope the Prime Minister can spend some time over the next few days studying at the Gareth Southgate school of leadership.
“The British people will be asking themselves who they want to lead them – do they want someone who works hard and has a relentless focus on embodying British values, or do they want the current Prime Minister?”
Commons Leader Mr Rees-Mogg, in his familiar drawl, replied: “Everyone, I think, is rejoicing at the football success and I think the line to take is from Mr Barnes.
“You’ve got to hold and give but do it at the right time.
John Barnes
“You can be slow or fast but you must get to the line.
“Can I reassure you, Mr Speaker, that we ain’t no hooligans, this ain’t a football song.
“Three Lions on my chest, I know we can’t go wrong.
“Or as another John put it, John Dryden, for they can conquer who believe they can.”
He added: “It is indeed the excellent leadership of Mr Southgate which led to such a good triumph yesterday against Denmark, and let’s hope for the same on Sunday.”
Other MPs hailed the Three Lions boss and made several attempts to shoehorn in a reference to Football’s Coming Home – the David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and Lightning Seeds classic.
Earlier, Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner – when questioning Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove – said: “Indeed football is coming home, but I also think the chickens are coming home to roost for this Government.”
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