"it also shows that he is emotionless."
Rishi Sunak became embroiled in controversy when he made a reference to transgender people in a jibe at Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
At Prime Minister’s Questions on February 7, 2024, Mr Sunak criticised Sir Keir for Labour’s shifts on a range of policies.
This included “defining a woman, although in fairness that was only 99% of a U-turn”.
The comment was in reference to Sir Keir stating in an interview in 2023 that 99.9% of women did not have a penis.
Mr Sunak’s comment was made all the more shocking as Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered transgender teenager Brianna Ghey, was set to be in the public gallery.
Sir Keir hit back: “Of all the weeks to say that, when Brianna’s mother is in this chamber. Shame… Parading as a man of integrity when he’s got absolutely no responsibility.”
Earlier in the session, Sir Keir noted that Ms Ghey would be watching their exchanges from the gallery.
Ms Ghey met Sir Keir after she launched a campaign to ban under-16s from accessing social media on mobile phones.
Her attendance at PMQs came days after her daughter’s murderers were sentenced.
She was not present when Rishi Sunak made the remark, however, hearing the PM appear to mock trans women in light of this murder felt harrowing and sinister.
He appeared to make no connection between the type of crass jokes he makes about trans people and the rising anti-hostility in the UK.
In the UK, hate crimes against transgender people are rising, with a 186% increase in the last five years.
These crimes happen in a society where anti-trans comments have become the norm and where expressing transphobic and offensive views about trans people as “an opinion” has become acceptable.
According to British Asians DESIblitz spoke to, the remark highlighted that Rishi Sunak cannot emote on any level.
Student Shreya said: “When he first came in [as Prime Minister], we were worried about him not representing the majority of the British population.
“His disgusting comment just proves it and it also shows that he is emotionless.”
Slamming Mr Sunak, Ravi agreed and said:
“Why does he say these things as if he is trying to be funny?
“Nobody is laughing and it just makes him look immature and appear that he has a backwards mindset.”
The trans jibe contributes to a bigger picture, even if it is “just a joke” in the Commons.
Given that 2024 is a General Election year, Rishi Sunak should be doing all he can to win another term as PM.
But instead, such comments will just hinder that.
According to an IPSO poll, the majority of Brits hold an unfavourable opinion of Rishi Sunak.
As of December 2023, 24% are favourable towards Rishi Sunak and 52% are unfavourable.
Since the start of 2023, his position has worsened as only 39% were unfavourable in January.
Maya noted this and explained:
“Rishi Sunak’s comments were insensitive, especially because Brianna’s mother was set to be watching.
“He says and does things without thinking but I think that it will come back to haunt him.”
Meanwhile, Akash stated: “He makes these comments thinking they are acceptable but it shows how outdated he is.”
Brianna’s father Peter Spooner said Rishi Sunak’s comments were “degrading” and “dehumanising”.
He said: “Identities of people should not be used in that manner, and I personally feel shocked by his comments and feel he should apologise for his remarks.”
Tory MP Jackie Doyle-Price said Mr Sunak’s comments had been “careless” and “ill-judged”.
An ex-Conservative cabinet minister expressed “huge disappointment” at Mr Sunak’s remark, claiming it made the party look “unkind”.
A Conservative spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister was saying there were a lot of U-turns that the leader of the opposition has been making, I don’t think those U-turns are a joke, these are serious changes in public policy, it’s legitimate for the PM to point that out.”
The spokesperson denied that Mr Sunak had made a transphobic remark.
Rishi Sunak caused further controversy when he declined to apologise.
He said: “If you look at what I said, I was very clear, talking about Keir Starmer’s proven track record of U-turns on major policies because he doesn’t have a plan.
“A point only proven by today’s reports that the Labour Party and Keir Starmer are apparently planning to reverse on their signature economic green spending policy.
“That just demonstrates the point I was making. He’s someone who has just consistently changed his mind on a whole range of major things.
“I think that is an absolutely legitimate thing to point out and it demonstrates that he doesn’t have a plan for the country.
“Like everyone, I was completely shocked by Brianna’s case.
“To have your child taken from you in such awful circumstances is almost impossible to come to terms with, and for Brianna’s mum to talk with such empathy and compassion about that, I thought, was inspiring and it showed the very best of humanity.
“I’ve nothing but the most heartfelt sympathy for her entire family and friends.
“But to use that tragedy to detract from the very separate and clear point I was making about Keir Starmer’s proven track record of multiple U-turns on major policies because he doesn’t have a plan, I think is both sad and wrong, and it demonstrates the worst of politics.”
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Student Arjun added: “Rishi is so stubborn. First, he makes a comment in poor taste and then does not apologise to the victim’s family.
“It’s a very bad look for him.”
As the row continues to unfold, it is clear that the simplified narrative has returned, not least because it is one the Conservatives see as effective.
Rishi Sunak has become an increasingly enthusiastic participant in this battle.
His awkwardness when pledging to protect “our women” during speeches when he fought Liz Truss for the Conservative leadership left many assuming he was an unwilling culture warrior who said such words because they were expected.
Inside Downing Street and when faced with a political choice, Mr Sunak has taken the less socially liberal decision.
As he put it: “A man is a man and a woman is a woman. That’s just common sense.”
But when it comes to jibes about women and as election approaches, expect more of the same from the Prime Minister.
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