Lee Anderson bottles The Sun’s new politics show… how interested is Reform’s only MP in getting your support?
REFORM UK’s only MP Lee Anderson chickened out of The Sun’s new politics show, Never Mind The Ballots.
The ex-Tory deputy chairman dropped out of tonight’s show at the last minute before filming, raising questions over just how interested he is in bagging your support at the next general election.
The Ashfield MP was due to appear on a panel alongside Tory former ministers Matt Warman and Jake Berry, and Labour peer Baroness Jenny Champan.
Instead, an empty chair sat in his place on our new politics show, fronted by Political Editor Harry Cole which is available to watch on thesun.co.uk and The Sun’s YouTube channel from 7pm tonight.
Next week’s guest is Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
On today’s show, usually outspoken politician Mr Anderson – who defected from the Conservatives earlier this month – was slammed by host Harry Cole.
Send your questions for next week's guest Rishi Sunak
RISHI Sunak will be facing questions from The Sun’s readers during a no holds barred guest spot on our brand new politics show.
The Prime Minister will have nowhere to hide during next Thursday’s Never Mind the Ballots, fronted by Political Editor Harry Cole.
The Tory leader currently sits behind Labour boss Sir Keir Starmer in the polls, with elections to be held before the end of January 2025.
The weekly show also features opinions and insight from our very own panel boasting real-life experience, discussing what readers want from the next Government.
You can watch it on thesun.co.uk and The Sun’s YouTube channel on Thursdays.
And you can help set the agenda – by submitting your questions via email at readerquestions@the-sun.co.uk
The Sun’s Political Editor said: “Today, we wanted you to have the chance to hear from Reform and its only MP, the Tory defector Lee Anderson.
“Reform say they’re going to stand candidates across the land and you’d think they would want to win over Sun readers.
“But after agreeing to come on today’s show Lee has now pulled out at the very last minute.
“I’ll leave you to draw your own conclusions about how interested he really is in gaining your support at the next election.”
Reform UK is a right wing party headed up by Richard Tice.
Its sole MP and prospective candidates are trying to entice voters with promises of a mega crackdown on immigration, woke issues and crime.
The party has soared up the polls and is now sitting on 12 points, in yet another headache for Rishi Sunak.
Lee Anderson is no stranger to causing controversy...
In February Lee Anderson was stripped of the Tory whip after saying London Mayor Sadiq Khan was controlled by “Islamists”.
The comments sparked widespread condemnation from across the political divide including from several senior Tories, such as Tory peer Baroness Warsi and business minister Nus Ghani.
The Prime Minister also criticised Mr Anderson’s comments, branding them as “not acceptable” and “wrong” as he denied the Tory Party had issues with Islamophobia.
But Mr Anderson declared he wouldn’t say sorry over his attack on Mr Khan as it would be a “sign of weakness”.
The Ashfield MP doubled down on his controversial comments, insisting “when you think you are right you should never apologise”.
While there was a path back to the Tory party through saying sorry, less than a month later Mr Anderson joined Reform UK and became the party’s first MP.
The Sun has launched a weekly politics show, Never Mind the Ballots, fronted by Political Editor, Harry Cole.
You can watch the second show on thesun.co.uk and The Sun’s YouTube channel on Thursday from 7pm.
And you can help set the agenda – by submitting your questions via email at readerquestions@the-sun.co.uk
In a massive year for the country, Never Mind the Ballots will feature the biggest political interviews.
Not only will it feature questions from Sun readers but the opinions and insight of the Sun’s very own Cabinet.
Our panel of voters with real-life experience of working in law and order, defence, schools, the NHS and running their own businesses, from a plumbing firm to driving a black cab.
The show will look at what readers really want from the next Government and who, if anyone, can win their vote.
The programme will also feature The Sun’s award-winning Lobby team for their analysis and insight.
