LBC deals huge blow to Keir Starmer as clash breaks out live on air

An listener took a brutal swipe at for his unprofessional demeanor that lead to a heated debate on air. During Tuesday's instalment (May 27) of the political radio programme, host Ben Kentish returned to the helm as he welcomed a host of callers onto the show to hear their latest issues with the current state of the country's political affairs.

One of the most unusual calls the broadcaster got during the show was from a caller named James, who tried to explain why is striking a chord with the working class more than the leader. The main reason he gave was due to the Reform UK leader's dress sense, arguing that politicians garner more "respect" when they're dressed well at important political meetings. The unusual stance soon sparked a heated discussion on the show as the caller thought back to the prime minister's unkempt attire for the late Pope Francis' funeral earlier this month.

He told the host: "He looks the part as well, always wears a shirt and tie, got a suit on, unlike Starmer who turned up at the Pope's funeral a few weeks ago.

"And at the beginning when he had a meeting with President Trump and the guy from France [President Macron], he wasn't wearing a tie."

It was at this point that Ben interjected to point out that the standards of the prime minister's dress code shouldn't be the reason to elect someone.

He countered: "But James, let me just pause you on that. This is a country that not so long ago elected Boris Johnson to the highest office in the land.

"If it was sartorial standards, that were a key factor for millions of British people, I'll put this politely, I don't think Boris would have made it to number 10."

The caller went on to explain how looking good has impacted his work throughout his career. He explained: "Yeah, but listen, I understand what you're saying. I'm in sales and when I wear the shirt and tie and a suit I get a little bit more respect."

But Ben argued: "Sure but Keir Starmer's a well-dressed bloke" before the listener added: "But he doesn't always wear a tie." The journalist pointed out: "But the more fundamental point is, I don't think personally, that working class voters are so shallow to say, 'He's got a nice voice and he does his tie nicely, I'll vote for him'."

It didn't take long before fans flooded to X - formerly known as Twitter - to share their thoughts on the unusual argument online. Many listeners pointed out that Starmer wore a tie during the Pope's funeral, sharing snaps of the political leader at the event.

One user fumed: "Starmer wore a tie at the funeral!" as another argued: "'Starmer didn't even wear a tie to the Pope's funeral'. He read it on the internet." A third echoed: "Erm, tell the idiot who called to be quiet [shushing emoji]."

Another fumed: "@BenKentish maybe you should correct his record on ties. You shouldn't even need to be show this picture by the way, no chance the UK prime minister would turn up to the Pope's funeral without a tie on, you should have pushed back on this nonsense right away."

A surprised listener asked: "'He doesn't wear a tie' What planet do these people live on?" as another agreed: "Always looks the part, that's it! Cosplay! Farage has a dressing up box like Boris Johnson but with a better tailor..."