Robert Jenrick suffered an embarrassing gaffe when he asked an audience of Reform UK members to stand up if they work – revealing only a small number of attendees do.
The party’s treasury spokesperson was speaking at a rally in Plymouth when he asked the question, forcing him to do some quick thinking after seeing the disappointing result
He also hoped to show Reform attracts a voter base of entrepreneurs, asking audience members who run a business to stand up – prompting an even more muted response.
He then expanded his requirements and said: ‘If you are now drawing your pension, stand up with them.’
At that point the majority of the crowd stood up.
Now the clip has gone viral on social media, with viewers mocking the party that has previously claimed to be the ‘real party of workers’.
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One comment said: ‘Not the best question to ask at 2.30pm on a Monday.’
Another said: ‘He had to go onto pensions as hardly anyone stood up. What an embarrassment.’
A third, seemingly impersonating Jenrick, said: ‘If you work, stand up! Oh, errr, if you’ve ever worked…stand up! If you are or ever have been married to someone that has ever worked, stand up. There we go…’
The stunt clearly backfired for the party that has attempted to become the political home of working Britain, promising tax cuts, an improved economy, and the end of what it has branded ‘Benefits Britain’ under a Reform government.
Media outlet PoliticsJoe got in on the action, claiming Jenrick gave an ‘impassioned speech to a room full of benefits claimants’, seemingly mocking Reform’s attacks on the UK welfare system – which state pensions technically fall under.
The speech came during Reform UK’s rally in Plymouth, dubbed ‘100 Days to Save Britain’.
Reform UK’s leader, Nigel Farage, also made headlines by accidentally calling the location Portsmouth, prompting a mix of boos and laughter in the crowd.
Farage announced that those working in Britain’s armed services would pay no tax if his party were to form a government.
Groups of pro-refugee protesters gathered outside the Plymouth Arena while the rally went on.