Rishi Sunak’s turbulent start to the General Election campaign has continued as he was filmed dribbling though cones.
The under-pressure PM’s football skills were branded “shocking” by an onlooker, who quipped: “He’s as good at football as he is at being Prime Minister.” Mr Sunak attempted to run with the ball on a visit to Chesham United Football Club as he hit the campaign trail.
Youngsters looked on as the PM nearly tripped over the ball. A smiling Mr Sunak – a fan of Southampton FC, who were promoted to the Premier League on Sunday – was then shown shaking hands with young footballers.
The football club is in the Chesham & Amersham constituency – a seat the Lib Dems won from the Conservatives in a by-election three years ago. After footage was shared by ITV reporter Harry Horton, one viewer commented: “Controls the football like he controls his party.”
And one connoisseur of the Beautiful Game wrote: “No balance. He’s focussing too much on the right.”
The PM boldly embraced his love for football days after an awkward gaffe in Wales. The Prime Minister met brewery staff in Barry, South Wales, where he discussed his party’s support for the sector during a brief campaign stop. He attempted to make small talk with workers and asked them if they were looking forward to “all the football” later this summer as a potential source of revenue.
But one worker responded quickly pointing out that Wales had not qualified for the Euro 2024 tournament. He made the comment after a different worker said the summer of football was “not so much my bag”. Mr Sunak awkwardly laughed, as he scrambled to say: “It’ll get people out. There will be people coming. It’ll be a good summer of sport.”