• Disrupting Power Since 2015
  • Donate
  • Login
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
  • Login
  • Register
Canary
MEDIA THAT DISRUPTS
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION
SUPPORT
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
Canary
No Result
View All Result

When Laura Kuenssberg calls out a “terrible gaffe”, you know the Tory election campaign isn’t going well

Emily Apple by Emily Apple
5 November 2019
in Trending, UK
Reading Time: 2 mins read
169 3
A A
3
Home Trending
320
SHARES
2.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

During an appearance on LBC radio, Jacob Rees-Mogg spoke about the Grenfell Tower fire. Rees-Mogg indulged in heartless victim-blaming, saying that it should have been “common sense” to ignore fire brigade advice and leave the building.

Yes, that’s right. Instead of addressing the construction companies that cut corners to save money with dangerous cladding or government departments that sat on the findings of the Lakanal House fire, Rees-Mogg blamed the victims.

His disgusting comments were challenged, and many, including Jeremy Corbyn, demanded he apologise – something Rees-Mogg quickly did. This led BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg to tweet:

One of quickest apologies in political history – and with good reason – terrible gaffe from Mogg on Grenfell https://t.co/W4V7hFFynU

— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) November 5, 2019

“Absolutely nauseating”

Journalist Owen Jones described Rees-Mogg’s comments as “absolutely nauseating”:

Absolutely nauseating. He has to resign https://t.co/n1jcy1jNhy

— Owen Jones (@owenjonesjourno) November 5, 2019

Labour MP David Lammy described the comments as “monstrous”:

How dare you insult and denigrate those who died in Grenfell Tower @Jacob_Rees_Mogg?

The victims of this crime of gross negligence followed the instructions they were given by the fire authorities. Do not blame them.

Your arrogance and condescension is monstrous. https://t.co/7obfSIhTVW

— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) November 5, 2019

And as journalist Ellie Mae O’Hagan tweeted, Rees-Mogg’s “lack of basic humanity is totally unfathomable”:

https://twitter.com/MissEllieMae/status/1191659957000835074?s=20

A gaffe?

While Kuenssberg calling out the “terrible gaffe” is bad for the Conservative election campaign, many questioned whether “gaffe” was the right word:

https://twitter.com/jabberwock951/status/1191675143732547584?s=20

https://twitter.com/richardlaing123/status/1191673748065341441?s=20

And as others pointed out, what Rees-Mogg said wasn’t an actual gaffe:

https://twitter.com/Alec_Eiffel85/status/1191673698647977984?s=20

A gaffe is when you accidentally contradict your party's position on a policy matter. Not when you imply that dozens of people died because they lacked common sense. Wonder if "a Number 10 source" used that word when briefing to stem the growing outrage. https://t.co/uEmmIDqEVa

— Chris Brookmyre (@cbrookmyre) November 5, 2019

They’ve got to go

There are so many reasons why we’ve got to get rid of the Tories. But Rees-Mogg’s vile and arrogant comments sum up the cruelty of the party and why it doesn’t represent any of us.

And social media users were right to challenge Kuenssberg’s choice of words. This wasn’t a “gaffe”. This was an insight into the mindset of Rees-Mogg and his elitist colleagues.

But the election campaign is only just starting, and when even Kuennsberg is calling out a “terrible gaffe”, you know it’s not looking good for the Conservative Party.

Featured image via Twitter – BBCPolitics / Wikimedia – Chris McAndrew

Share128Tweet80
Previous Post

You think Brexit has been tough? Wait until trade talks, says Michel Barnier

Next Post

Over 11,000 scientists declare climate emergency and call for urgent action

Next Post

Over 11,000 scientists declare climate emergency and call for urgent action

Image of Tracy Culham interviewed on the Victoria Derbyshire Show

The 34 seconds everyone needs to see before even THINKING about voting Tory

Angela Rayner

Angela Rayner hammers home the utter failure of Tory rule with one appalling statistic

Jeremy Corbyn

Corbyn brilliantly breaks down Labour Brexit policy for the media hacks too dim to get it

Poster at bus stop and Boris Johnson

A handmade poster at a bus stop is going viral and it’s the perfect way to defeat Boris Johnson

Please login to join discussion
gideon's chariots Gaza
Analysis

Gideon’s Chariots: leaked plan shows Israel intentionally pushing Gaza to famine and forced displacement

by Alaa Shamali
20 May 2025
Gideon's Chariots Gaza
Analysis

“عربات جدعون.. مخطط إسرائيلي يقود غزة نحو مجاعة مُمنهجة وتهجير قسري

by Alaa Shamali
20 May 2025
Our friends at Pauzeradio have got the perfect Reggae clothing line for this summer
Lifestyle

Our friends at Pauzeradio have got the perfect Reggae clothing line for this summer

by Steve Topple
20 May 2025
trade unions protest
News

Trade unions urged “to take the lead in forming a new working-class party”

by Ed Sykes
20 May 2025
Keir Starmer looking angry
News

Keir Starmer’s leadership under pressure as 82 NGOs gang up on him

by The Canary
20 May 2025
  • Contact
  • About & FAQ
  • Get our Daily News Email
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

The Canary
PO Box 71199
LONDON
SE20 9EX

Canary Media Ltd – registered in England. Company registration number 09788095.

For guest posting, contact [email protected]

For other enquiries, contact: [email protected]

The Canary is owned and run by independent journalists and volunteers, NOT offshore billionaires.

You can write for us, or support us by making a regular or one-off donation.

© Canary Media Ltd 2024, all rights reserved | Website by Monster | Hosted by Krystal | Privacy Settings

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion

© 2023 Canary - Worker's co-op.

Before you go, have you seen...?

gideon's chariots Gaza
Analysis
Alaa Shamali

Gideon’s Chariots: leaked plan shows Israel intentionally pushing Gaza to famine and forced displacement

Gideon's Chariots Gaza
Analysis
Alaa Shamali

“عربات جدعون.. مخطط إسرائيلي يقود غزة نحو مجاعة مُمنهجة وتهجير قسري

Lifestyle
Steve Topple

Our friends at Pauzeradio have got the perfect Reggae clothing line for this summer

trade unions protest
News
Ed Sykes

Trade unions urged “to take the lead in forming a new working-class party”

ADVERTISEMENT
Analysis
Nathan Spears

Vote for the Press Photograph of the Year 2024

Image by Burkard Meyendriesch from Pixabay
Feature
Nathan Spears

Why Santiago Ways is the Leading Choice for Walking the Camino de Santiago

Environment
Nathan Spears

EU elections point to growing public desire for new policymaking approach in Brussels