World / Politics

British political stoush over sandwiches

09:28 am on 13 December 2024

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch are having a public debate about the merit of sandwiches. Photo: AFP

A British political stoush has erupted over the "great British institution" of sandwiches.

In an interview with Spectator magazine, Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch suggested sandwiches were not real food.

Political panel for 13 December 2024

Speaking of taking a lunch break she said: "lunch is for wimps".

"I have food brought in and I work and eat at the same time.

"Sometimes I will get a steak... I'm not a sandwich person, I don't think sandwiches are a real food, it's what you have for breakfast."

Badenoch was particularly against soggy bread.

"I will not touch bread if it's moist," she said.

In response, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told media the sandwich was a "great British institution".

"I think he was surprised to hear that the leader of the opposition has a steak brought in for lunch.

"The prime minister is quite happy with a sandwich lunch."

Starmer enjoys a tuna sandwich and occasionally a cheese toastie, the spokesperson was reported as saying by Sky News.

Reform leader Nigel Farage took to social media to weigh in on the debate.

Appearing in a restaurant drinking a glass of red wine, Farage said he enjoyed lunch.

But when he was short on time a sandwich in the office would do, he said.