The name Joe Lycett has been on everyone’s lips this weekend after the comedian went viral during an appearance on the BBC’s new politics show, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
Dead panning the role of a “right-wing” Tory supporter, Lycett left viewers in stitches as he joked that he thought Liz Truss gave “great clear answers” when asked for his “honest” opinion on the then Tory leadership hopeful.
Spoofing Kuenssberg on her very first show, the comedian described Truss as “the backwash of the available MP’s” after twelve years of Tory rule.
His comments have since been shared millions of times online, alongside screenshots of him wearing a brightly colored yellow overshirt.
Dressed in a grapefruit yellow fit from sustainable Manchester brand Usksees, he didn’t pull any punches as he told viewers: “I know there’s been criticism in the The Mail on Sunday today about leftie liberal wokie comedians on the BBC. I’m actually very right-wing and I loved it.
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Sharing screenshots of the interview and some of the furore Lycett’s comments caused online, local Manchester workwear brand Usksees quipped: “Our boy Joe Lycett is having a quiet day in the media today, wearing an equally quiet shirt”
Directing their followers to get the Lycett look, they added it’s “perfect for work, play and holding power to account.”
Lycett told Kuenssberg, who has just taken over the Sunday politics slot after 16 years of Andrew Marr: “I thought [Truss] was very clear, she gave great clear answers. I know exactly what she’s up to and I think she’s […] Most people watching at home are worried about their bills, they’re going to feel […] I’m not being sarcastic.
“She was very clear what she said, I think, you know exactly what’s going to happen. You’re reassured, I’m reassured. Are you reassured?”
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Image: Uskees
Image: Uskees
“I think you know that the haters will say that we’ve had 12 years of the Tories and that we’re sort of at the dregs of what they’ve got available and that Liz Truss is sort of like the backwash of the available MP’s.
“I wouldn’t say that because I’m incredibly right-wing, but some people might say that.”
“As Liz said there, she said it’d be wrong to predict the future even though loads of people have predicted that we’re going to have real issues with paying our energy bills but you know I think she’s right to just look basically say ‘well let’s not predict it and see what happens next week’, I think she did the right thing there.”
Lycett told his Twitter followers ahead of the show: “Really excited to be on this new version of Would I Lie To You.” Then, shortly after the episode ended, he quipped: “If you want to hear more of my right-wing opinions, I’m on tour.”
Happy to present @bbclaurak with a gift for her first show, something I knew she’d love – an original painting of Robert Peston in jail. pic.twitter.com/XKhfiLALT0
If you want to get the Lycett look yourself, you can check out the local unisex clothing store’s shop here.
Feature image – Usksees
News
Police appeal after teenage girl reports being sexually assaulted in a Stretford park
Emily Sergeant
An urgent appeal for information has been issued after a teenage girl reported being sexually assaulted in a park in Stretford.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers attended Victoria Park, in the Stretford area, earlier this week on Tuesday night (21 July) following reports that a teenage girl had been sexually assaulted.
The incident is reported to have happened between 5:30pm and 5:44pm, and the offender is described to be an older white male of a large build who was wearing a black t-shirt.
No arrests have been made at this time, GMP confirmed, and enquiries are ongoing.
As police continue their investigation at pace, a public appeal for information has been issued in the hopes that someone can come forward and provide the details needed to track down the offender.
“Detectives are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry and the victim is being fully supported by specially trained officers,” explained Detective Superintendent Suzanne Keenaghan, from GMP’s Trafford district.
“There will be an increased police presence in and around Victoria Park while officers continue their investigation and provide reassurance to the local community.”
Police say they are ‘particularly keen’ to hear from anyone who was in the park at the time, or who may have CCTV, doorbell, mobile phone or dashcam footage from the area.
Anyone with information can speak to police officers at the scene, call 101, or contact GMP via LiveChat at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 3029 of 21/07/26.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
News
Business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues to be slashed by 20% next year
Emily Sergeant
Business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues across England are set to be slashed by 20% next year.
Continuing on with his week of, seemingly, introducing a new measure a day amid the cost of living crisis, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has now announced that he has taken action to cut business rates for pubs, social clubs, and live music venues across England from April next year.
It’s expected that these new business rate cuts will benefit nearly 32,000 pubs, clubs and live music venues, saving the typical pub an estimated £1,100 in the next financial year.
“For too long, the pubs, social clubs, and live music venues that form the backbone of local high streets have been replaced by boarded up windows and for sale signs,” the Government said in a statement as the cuts were announced today.
Andy Burnham is slashing business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues by 20% next year / Credit: John Arano (via Unsplash) | Wikimedia Commons
These changes are set to be fully funded by the Government – including through reviewing reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to local communities, such as vape shops for example.
The Government says it also plans to crack down on businesses that sell through online marketplaces but do not comply with their tax obligations, which therefore puts them at an unfair advantage over businesses that do play by the rules.
I’m giving thousands of pubs, clubs and music venues a 20% cut in business rates.
I won’t stand by while these cherished local spaces disappear, replaced by boarded-up windows and ‘For Sale’ signs.
They’re the heart of our communities and it’s time we backed them.
“Pubs, clubs and live music venues are at the heart of communities across the UK,” explained Chancellor John Healey. “They help make a place what we love. They bring people together, support local jobs and help keep high streets, and town centres busy, which is why we will back them all the way.
“We are determined to bring hope back, give businesses the support they need and generate growth in every postcode.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham added: “For too long, Governments have stood by while cherished venues have disappeared from our local high streets. So today I am changing that.
“This Government will back the businesses that people want to see in their communities. I said I would protect pubs and local high streets, and that’s what we will do. What we’re announcing today is just the start as we work to bring back hope across the country.”
Georgina Pellant -
5th September 2022 
