Political Leaders’ Divergent Lunchtime Preferences

While some voters express the view that politicians are largely indistinguishable, a clear distinction has recently emerged between the leaders of the two principal parties. In an interview with The Spectator, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch declared: “Lunch is for wimps. I have food brought in and I work and eat at the same time.” She continued, “There’s no time… sometimes I will get a steak… I’m not a sandwich person. I don’t think sandwiches are a real food, it’s what you have for breakfast.” Badenoch further specified that she would “not touch bread if it’s moist”. When questioned about her remarks, No 10 communicated that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer regards sandwiches as a “great British institution”. A spokesperson stated, “I think he was surprised to hear that the leader of the opposition has a steak brought in for lunch.” They added, “The prime minister is quite happy with a sandwich lunch,” and noted that Starmer “enjoys a tuna sandwich, and occasionally a cheese toastie”. Responding to the implied criticism, Badenoch posted on social media: “The PM has time to respond to my jokes about lunch… but no time for the farmers who produce our food.” Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, widely recognized for his indulgent lunches, also entered the discussion. In a video shared on social media, he proclaimed lunch “pretty cool” while sipping from a glass of red wine at a restaurant table. Unsurprisingly, Jim Winship of the British Sandwich Association countered Badenoch’s comments. He told Matt Chorley on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Rubbish isn’t it? We eat 3.5bn commercially-made sandwiches every year, this is part of our heritage.” Winship explained, “The first sandwich was recorded as being made in 1762 by the Earl of Sandwich when he called for some cuts of beef to be brought to him between slices of toast so he could play cards.” He concluded, “Sandwiches have been on the menu for a lot of people ever since then.” Although they may constitute a part of the UK’s heritage, Badenoch is not unique in her strong aversion to sandwiches. Earlier this month, actor Anna Maxwell Martin informed The Sun: “If I’m on a set and sandwiches are brought on – it’s hard for me to even say that word – I’d have to say ‘get that out’.” Sandwiches can prove to be an unexpectedly contentious topic for British politicians. Rishi Sunak, Badenoch’s predecessor as Tory leader, was playfully mocked during the general election when ITV’s This Morning inquired about his favourite meal and he responded “sandwiches”. Former Labour leader Ed Miliband faced ridicule for appearing to struggle slightly while consuming a bacon sandwich, an image later perceived as hindering his aspiration to become PM. Asked by Sky News about Badenoch’s comments, Miliband told Sky News, “I’m here for the sandwich content. “I wish I could have a cross-party consensus here with Kemi Badenoch but I can’t. I think I need to persuade her of the delights of a bacon sandwich.” Dominic Raab attracted media attention when a former member of his staff disclosed the then Tory minister’s specific lunch preferences. She informed the Daily Mirror that he consistently ordered the same meal daily from Pret A Manger: “He has the chicken Caesar and bacon baguette, SuperFruit pot and the Vitamin Volcano smoothie, every day. He is so weird. It’s the Dom Raab Special.” Raab vehemently denied the assertion, humorously stating that he was now receiving offers of free sandwiches from Subway.