Crumbs! Now Corbyn fails crunch test over biscuits
First he says he’s not a fan, then admits shortbread’s the best
IT’S the question that strikes fear into politicians’ hearts – what’s your favourite biscuit? And when Jeremy Corbyn was asked it yesterday, his answer was as disappointing as dropping a soggy digestive into a cup of tea.
The Labour leader told parenting website Mumsnet that he avoids biscuits because of his opposition to sugar – prompting users to brand him ‘miserable’.
Then he crumbled and admitted that ‘if forced’ he would opt for shortbread.
He said: ‘I’m totally anti-sugar on health grounds so eat very few biscuits, but if forced to accept one, it’s always a pleasure to have a shortbread.’
His answer prompted one user to write: ‘That’s the most miserable response to the biscuit question I’ve ever read.’
Another said: ‘He doesn’t even eat biscuits. How are we supposed to trust him now?’
Several also pointed out Mr Corbyn’s apparent hypocrisy, as he has previously boasted of his prowess at making jam, which is typically 60 per cent sugar. One user wrote: ‘Jeremy, if you’re so anti-sugar could you please explain your recipe for jam?’ Gordon Brown famously came unstuck over his preference in 2009 when he refused to answer the biscuit question 12 times during a chat with Mumsnet.
The then prime minister, who was accused of wanting to see public polling on the question before answering, eventually issued a statement 24 hours later saying he liked ‘absolutely anything with a bit of chocolate’.
Fellow Labour politician Andy Burnham also faced ridicule when he appeared to use the question to remind users of his Northern roots, saying: ‘I don’t have a sweet tooth and don’t eat biscuits... Give me a beer and chips and gravy any day.’
Mr Corbyn’s leadership rival Owen Smith tried to position himself as a Left-winger last month when he told the website: ‘I am big on biscuits. Custard creams a definite favourite, but round my Nan’s as a boy I used to like a Garibaldi. You’ve got to like a biccy named after a revolutionary.’
During yesterday’s Q&A, Mr
‘The most miserable response ever’
Corbyn also tried to burnish his intellectual credentials, claiming his favourite book was Ulysses by James Joyce.
He added: ‘It’s very hard to understand the first time and doesn’t get much easier on the third or fourth reading of it. I first read it as my companion on a complicated series of trains travelling from London to Marrakech.’
Mr Corbyn also faced a backlash from Mumsnet users by confirming that he is in favour of decriminalising prostitution. One said: ‘I do not want my daughters to grow up in a country that says women are available for purchase. I find your stance disgusting.’
Former PM David Cameron was accused of ducking the great biscuit question in 2009 when he replied: ‘I like oatcakes with butter and cheese.’ Ex-Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said: ‘Rich tea if dunked, Hobnobs if not.’