What really happened when Sunak took to the street – and the street hit back

Rishi Sunak laughed shortly after the remark while speaking to a woman. Photo: Dan Kitwood/PA

The woman continues her point about “how it used to be,” saying that “if you had a problem, you could go to the hospital. My daughter spent seven hours waiting…”

When this phrase is uttered, Mr Sunak turns his back and begins to walk down the street. The cameraman then moves, apparently trying to get a better look, and the original clip ends.

It appears that these remarks were recorded purely by chance. An off-duty Sky News cameraman reportedly noticed the interaction and began filming. But the backlash was swift once it was shown on Sky News.

It ticked all the boxes of Labor MPs, who have long seen Sunak as out of touch and struggling to succeed in office. , and not least about the National Health System.

X, formerly Twitter, was soon inundated with senior Labor Party figures commenting on the clip. Angela Rayner, the deputy leader, posted the footage on Twitter, saying: “Literally laughing in her face.”

Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, also shared it online, writing: “Rishi Sunak has no idea , about the suffering experienced by NHS patients.

“When patients and staff try to tell him about it, he laughs in their faces and walks away. When Sunak asks them to vote later this year, he will get a taste of his own medicine.”

Soon the phrase “#Sunakered” became a trend. But that wasn't the end of the story. Downing Street was outraged that the full dialogue was not shown in the edit and that the situation actually ended more amicably.

Sky News later published a 60-second extended clip that began when the cameraman switched for a new position. It showed Mr Sunak and the woman continuing to talk as he walked down the street.

Other party leaders took a different approach. Nick Clegg, who struggled to keep the Lib Dems afloat in the 2015 election campaign amid backlash over their coalition with the Tories, has largely avoided spontaneous engagement with voters.

Despite all the scandals Regarding the TV montage, Tory election strategists may be accepting a broader truth as to why the original clip resonated with some: the Tories have a disconnectedness problem. Polls show Mr Sunak is seen as a politician who is struggling to understand the concerns of ordinary voters, and his wealth is often mentioned.

His main message ahead of his re-election is “my plan is working”, but polls show that the electorate is fed up with the status quo. Telling a frustrated voter that they need to realize that things are actually getting better is always going to be a challenge.

The Prime Minister has time to hone his communication with voters, but again, not much time . For the long election campaign has already begun. And if one thing has long been clear, it is that the public does not feel obliged to remain silent when the party leader is within earshot.