Labour’s basic election triumph in memes
Brits have taken to social media to mock the outgoing Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, and make fun of the rest of the fallout from yesterday’s General Election.
Friday saw Mr Sunak give his final speech as PM before being replaced by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, all of which proved fertile ground for comedic voters and jubilant left-wingers.
The Tories suffered an electoral bloodbath on Thursday, with 11 former cabinet members and even former Prime Minister Liz Truss ousted form their seats in humbling ‘Portillo’ moments.
Mr Sunak cut a lonely figure when his speech put an end to 14 years of Tory rule, with wife Akshata Murthy behind him in support.
Many tore into the billionaire businesswoman for her outfit choice and demeanor, suggesting that she reminded them of a ghost in a horror movie.
If electoral wipeout was not bad enough for Rishi Sunak, he and his wife, Akshata Murthy, have been relentlessly mocked after his departure from Number 10 Downing Street this morning
The businesswoman was ridiculed for her outfit and also called ‘haunting’ as she loomed behind her husband
One X user said: ‘Zoom in on Mrs Sunak’s outfit on your phone and it gives a QR code for the California tourist board’
One post on X read: ‘All I need is for you to stand behind me but not look like you’re haunting me in an early 2000s horror film…’
Along those lines, another account edited the face of IT’s protagonist Pennywise over the heiress, while another pasted the 44-year-old over The Shinig’s infamously terrifying twins.
It was also noted that, following the confusing decision for Mr Sunak to call the election in the driving rain, his wife was prepared this time with an umbrella in hand.
‘She was ready with the umbrella!’ One comment read.
Someone else said: ‘The Sunak years would have been better if she’d stood behind him blankfaced in different mad outfits throughout, like Chris out of the Pet Shop Boys.’
Her choice of dress – a £390 Lina frock with navy, white and red stripes from ethical fashion house Omi Na Na – was also ridiculed.
Acknowledging the suggestions that the Sunak family may be off to the US after the Conservatives’ election defeat, one commented: ‘Zoom in on Mrs Sunak’s outfit on your phone and it gives a QR code for the California tourist board.’
Another X user likened the outfit to dazzle camouflage – which uses complex geometric patterns on ships to make it harder for enemy forces to estimate how far away one is.
‘As a submarine commander, I can’t judge how far away that woman is,’ they joked.
However, a triumphant Sir Keir Starmer was also not without criticism from comedic Brits who imagined what might have been said between the new Prime Minister and His Majesty King Charles
After Mr Sunak’s speech, the incoming Prime Minister visited His Majesty King Charles ahead of forming the new Labour government.
As the first images of their encounter emerged, voters were quick to draw on Sir Keir’s habitual reference to his father’s background as a tool maker.
One meme read: ‘KING CHARLES: “Really? How fascinating. What kind of tools?’
A reply joked, ‘enough to make a cabinet,’ as Sir Keir began assembling his top team.
Someone else imagined His Majesty more crudely saying: ‘Forget your dad, my mum was the f***ing Queen.’
Another suggested: ‘That’s, erm, interesting. Mine? He was the Duke of Edinburgh.’
On his return from Buckingham Palace, the new PM began appointing his new ministers, starting with his Deputy Prime Minister and Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary, Angela Rayner.
Sir Keir’s long time ally arrived at his new address in a bold green trouser suit, which was compared to an action figure.
Angela Rayner, the new Deputy PM, saw her bold green outfit mocked too
Someone observed: ‘Why is Angela Rayner dressed like the Hasbro series 4 Ted Dibiase figure?’
Much earlier in the morning, Jacob Rees-Mogg was mercilessly mocked after becoming one of the Tory big beasts unceremoniously ousted as an MP.
In scenes ridiculed by the British public, Sir Jacob was filmed losing his North East Somerset and Hanham seat – while standing next to a man wearing a baked bean balaclava.
Sir Jacob ended up standing next to Phin ‘Barmy Brunch’ Adams of the Monster Raving Loony Party at the University of Bath campus as the former Tory Brexit minister’s 14-year political career imploded spectacularly.
Jacob Rees-Mogg was mercilessly mocked by voters and jubilant Labour supporters earlier in the day after being unceremoniously ousted as an MP
Social media users went into overdrive sharing images of Sir Jacob standing next to the baked bean mask wearer
Others mocked him by using an image of the former MP seemingly falling asleep during a Brexit debate in 2019
And the moment has since been turned into a meme and gone viral online, with the image being viewed by more than 1.3million people.
Sharing the photo on X, formerly Twitter, one user wrote: ‘Meanwhile, Jacob Rees-Mogg has lost his seat to Labour while standing next to a man wearing a baked beans balaclava.’
Another quipped: ‘If this isn’t the picture of the night, I don’t know what is.’
While others used their skills with photo-editing software to superimpose the baked bean balaclava onto a picture of the former Tory minster wearing a top hat.
‘Jacob Rees-Mogg trying to keep a low profile today while nipping to the local shop for a Twirl,’ gloated one person on X.
Meanwhile, some took the chance to lampoon images of the father-of-six when he seemingly fell asleep during a Brexit debate in the House of Commons in September 2019.
Social media users made memes to mock the former MP, with this image of him wearing a top hat being used a number of times.
One person posted this image from the second season of Game of Thrones spin-off The House of Dragon saying ‘Jacob Rees-Mogg with his Nanny’
In one image, Sir Jacob appeared to have been broadcast onto the side of a building with the message ‘Farewell Jacob Rees-Mogg’
Sprawled across the green leather benches, the then leader of the House of Commons was blasted by MPs who accused him of showing contempt for parliament as he reclined in his seat.
Sharing an image of Sir Jacob with his eyes closed on the bench, one person joked: ‘Jacob Rees-Mogg says he’s not going to take losing his seat laying down. Well, not in the Commons, anyway.’
Another person edited Sir Jacob’s legs to show the former MP wearing just a pair of tights.’
Others seemingly joked about what the 55-year-old former politician could do after losing his seat as an MP.
‘Jacob Rees-Mogg can now return to his job, as a night paralysis demon at an all boys boarding school,’ joked one person in a post on X which has been seen by more than 121,000 people.
Others lampooned the image of Sir Jacob reclining on the green benches in Parliament
Countless memes were shared online by voters following the ousting of Sir Jacob and former PM Liz Truss
During his speech, Sir Jacob seemingly added more fuel to the fire by quoting the 1968 children’s classic, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
‘From the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success,’ he said in his farewell speech, triggering a flurry of memes on social media.
‘Ex-MP “Sir” Jacob Rees-Mogg citing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s Caractacus Potts: “From the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success”. The quote’s actually from Grandpa. You’d have thought he’d have known that, as the inspiration for the Child Catcher,’ joked one person.
Sir Jacob is the latest Tory heavyweight to have been ruthlessly mocked after Labour swept to a landslide victory overnight, which saw the Conservatives slump to their lowest ever number of MPs.
In Rishi Sunak’s own seat, the former Prime Minister was taunted by YouTuber Niko Omilana, who boasts 7.49 million followers online, who mocked him with a loser sign as he won.
The YouTuber, was donning a pair of children sunglasses as the speaker announced he had won 160 votes in the battle for the Richmond in North Yorkshire seat.
Following the confirmation that ex-PM Truss had lost her seat following a disastrous campaign, social media users were quick to reference her Lettuce association.
One said: ‘The Liz Truss result, please just lettuce know.’
Another said: ‘Her constituents decided they didn’t want Liz Truss to romaine.’
Voters and jubilant Labour supporters have taken to social media to mock Rishi Sunak’s outgoing Conservative government
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss was mocked after sensationally losing her majority of 24,000 in South West Norfolk and seat as a result
The Conservative party has been torn apart in the polls and on social media
Another said: ‘Everyone trying to analyse an election that a 5 year old could analyse. Amateurs. ‘How has Liz Truss lost her seat?’ Sack them immediately and let schoolchildren comment.’
Elsewhere, a video of ousted Therese Coffey singing a requiem in Latin was repurposed as a Tory funeral song.
Rishi Sunak was also mocked up next to an image of Paddington, a bear that has become a harbinger of doom since being featured prominently following the death of the Queen in 2022.
In his speech Rishi Sunak said he took ‘responsibility’ for his party’s loss, and had already called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory.
He said: ‘The Labour Party has won this general election and I have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory.
‘Today power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner, with goodwill on all sides. That is something that should give us all confidence in our country’s stability and future.
‘The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight. There is much to learn and reflect on and I take responsibility for the loss.
‘To the many good hard working Conservative candidates who lost tonight despite their tireless efforts… I am sorry.’
Mr Sunak, his wife and their security and entourage left the election count as soon as he had finished making a speech after the result was declared.
He has since flown back to London from Yorkshire. He is expected to say a few valedictory words from Downing Street before heading to see the King and formally resign.
