BBC Question Time crowd laugh at guest’s brutal jibe about Reform UK

BBC Question Time, filmed this week in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, covered the defections from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, such as that of former home secretary Suella Braverman

Question Time came from King's Lynn, Norfolk, on Thursday

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Question Time came from King’s Lynn, Norfolk, on Thursday

The audience of BBC Question Time erupted in laughter when a guest described Reform UK as merely “a care home for old Tories” on Thursday night.

The man in the crowd made a savage dig about the Nigel Farage’s party, referring to the defections from several high-profile politicians from the Conservative Party to Reform UK. The comment was echoed by panelist Douglas Alexander MP, Scottish Secretary for Labour, who said: “I get why people call them (Reform UK) a retirement home for former failed Conservatives.”

Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, became the latest in a string of politicians to switch allegiances this week, accusing the Tories of having “no courage, no backbone, no resolve” in a scathing statement. She followed Robert Jenrick, Nadhim Zahawi, and Andrew Rosindell in abandoning the sinking Tory ship in recent weeks.

And this was a main topic of discussion on Question Time, which was filmed in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, this week. A man in the audience said: “How can anyone think Reform are a party of change when they only appear to be a care home for old Tories?” This led to audible laughter from those around him in the studio.

The audience member made a jibe about Reform UK

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The audience member made a jibe about Reform UK

James Cartlidge, Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, smiled wryly at the remark, which led to a lively debate among he and other panelists. During this, Mr Alexander, also MP for Lothian East said: “I think 26 former Conservatives have joined Reform; Suella Braverman, Robert Jenrick and others.

“I think they (Reform UK) represent something far more profoundly challenging than simply a care home former Conservatives… If you look at the frankly disgusting, racist adverts that Reform ran against Anas Sarwar (Leader of the Scottish Labour Party) in Scotland, you would recognise they represent a politics of hatred, division and polarisation that I think should have no place, and not be the choice of the people of the United Kingdom in the coming months.” The audience in King’s Lynn applauded warmly after Mr Alexander’s powerful address.

Ms Braverman’s switch made headlines this week as she became Reform’s eighth MP. After which, she told a rally in London: “Honesty compels me to say this today – Britain is indeed broken. She is suffering. She is not well. Immigration is out of control.

“Our public services are on their knees. People don’t feel safe. Our youngsters are leaving the country for better futures elsewhere. We can’t even defend ourselves and our nation stands weak and humiliated on the world stage. So we stand at a crossroads.”

She said her old party was full of hot air, adding: “When the cameras are off, when the doors are shut and when they’re sat behind that table making the difficult decisions for the country, they fold.”