A woman’s clueless but hilarious response to Boris Johnson‘s resignation yesterday has got people calling for her to become the new Prime Minister.
In case you somehow managed to miss it, Boris Johnson addressed the nation yesterday to formally resign as the leader of the Conservative party and agree to step down as Prime Minister following a tidal wave of 59 resignations by ministers, MPs, and other government officials – including Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid.
Johnson had been increasing pressure to step down from his position in recent weeks amid several scandals, from Partygate to Pincher.
The Prime Minister said his resignation speech: “I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world – but them’s the breaks.”
He also assured people that “our future together is golden”.
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As is often the case in the aftermath of significant political bombshells such as this, news reporters grabbed their cameras and headed out onto the streets across the country to ask people for their take on what went down – and one woman’s response in a now-viral video on social media has left some feeling that she should throw her hat into the ring to take over as the country’s next leader.
Speaking to the BBC in Darlington, the clueless woman said that she wasn’t even aware Johnson had decided to step down from his, but she was pretty pleased about it.
“I didn’t even know he’s resigned,” she exclaimed. “I’ve just finished work so, well that’s a bit of good news, I suppose, isn’t it?”.
It wasn’t a very long response, but it was all she needed to go viral.
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Shortly after her interview was aired on television, the clip was shared to Twitter and it has since gone on to amass over three million views and counting, as well as tens of thousands of retweets, likes, and of course, comments from people hailing her as an “icon”.
“Get her in Number 10 now,” one Twitter user said.
Heaping praise on the unnamed woman, another Twitter user commented: “Iconic queen.”
“New queen just dropped,” wrote a third, with another adding: “She’s an icon, she’s a legend and she IS the moment.”
Another commented: “Bless her heart. Protect her at all costs.”
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Presumably having got wind that she was going viral on social media, the woman in the video identified herself on Twitter as Erin Mae Denny with the brilliant and appropriate response of “look mum, I’m on TV”.
Her Twitter response has also gone viral, with plenty of people calling her a ‘legend”, sending her praise, and describing it as: “Genuinely the greatest vox pop ever featured on national television”
“You can’t get a more British reaction to a massive piece of news than this, absolutely perfect,” another added.
“To any non brits here, this is what we call a masterclass in great British understatement.”
Pubs can extend their opening hours if England make it to the Euro 2024 semi-finals
Emily Sergeant
Pubs are to be permitted to extend their opening hours if England make it through to the semi-finals of EURO 2024 this summer.
With the Premier League, and the English and Scottish football leagues, all drawing to a close over the next couple of weeks, our nations are already looking ahead to what is gearing up to be a massive summer of sport – with both the UEFA EURO 2024, and the 2024 Olympics coming up before August is out.
And now, it’s been revealed by Home Secretary James Cleverly that if either England or Scotland’s mens national football teams make it to the semi-final of European football’s flagship tournament, then pubs will be allowed to stay open for longer.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… because isn’t there always?
The Government has said that venues will be allowed to stay open for an extra two hours on match days if either or both teams reach the last four or the final of the competition, but this only applies to pubs that already have a license to open until 11pm anyway.
Pubs can extend their opening hours if England make it to the Euro 2024 semi-finals / Credit: Piqsels | Wikimedia Commons
The move to extend opening hours comes after a consultation at the end of last year, and is hoped to provide a boost to the hospitality industry – which has notably been hit hard during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The Home Secretaries in England and Wales, under Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, can make an order relaxing licensing hours to mark occasions of “exceptional national significance”, but the Scottish and Northern Irish Governments have to set their own rules.
“We have listened to the public through our consultation,” explained Home Secretary James Cleverley, “and we will be extending pub licensing hours should England or Scotland reach the semi-finals or final of Euro 2024.”
The EURO 2024 semi-finals are to be held on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 July / Credit: UEFA
Mr Cleverley said the move will “allow friends, families and communities to come together for longer to watch their nation hopefully bring it home”.
This legislation is set to be laid in Parliament today (Wednesday 8 May) to ensure there is enough time for it to be debated and passed before the tournament begins on Friday 14 June, the Government has confirmed.
Blue Peter is launching a FREE book club for kids at Manchester’s Central Library
Emily Sergeant
Blue Peter is launching a book club for kids right here in Manchester later this month, and it’s free for everyone to get involved with.
Book-loving mini Mancs are in for a real treat in a couple of weeks time, as the iconic BBC children’s TV series is partnering with Manchester Libraries and The Reading Agency for an exciting new project called ‘Blue Peter Book Club Live’.
Officially kicking off at the Central Library in the heart of Manchester city centre next Saturday (18 May) Blue Peter Book Club Live is set to be a “fun-filled event” that’s open to all.
It's official! The Blue Peter Book Club is launching live from Manchester Central Library. 💙
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) May 8, 2024
Not only will kids get to discover a whole host of “brilliant books” and “celebrate the joy and adventure of reading” with guest authors Eve Ainsworth, and the Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, but there’ll also be the chance to meet Blue Peter presenters Abby, Joel, and Shini, along with Henry the Blue Peter Dog, at the free event too.
CBeebies presenters George Webster and Gyasi Sheppi will also be there to take families on some “enchanting escapades” with magical story time sessions.
Creative crafts, masses of books, and the opportunity to meet some classic book characters like Alice, the Mad Hatter, Willy Wonka, Peter Pan, and more, are also set to make the library “come to life”.
Blue Peter is launching a free book club for kids in Manchester / Credit: BBC & The Reading Agency
The Blue Peter Book Club ‘Badge Trail’ also launches on the day too, and it challenges children to discover special Blue Peter badges on display in 12 different cultural venues across Manchester – with a bonus badge in the Blue Peter Garden in Salford, and some exciting prizes up for grabs.
Beyond the launch event, a series of ‘Book Hunt events will also be coming to “unexpected settings” in Manchester’s parks and open spaces throughout the summer too, and schools across the Greater Manchester region can also join in with Blue Peter Book Club Live by using activity packs and reading resources developed by The Reading Agency to create a “nationwide celebration”.
Ahead of the event next weekend, Councillor John Hacking, who is the Executive Member for Skills Employment and Leisure at Manchester City Council, has called Blue Peter’s new book club a “magnificent initiative”.
Blue Peter Book Club Live will kick-off with a launch event at Manchester Central Library / Credit: Ricardo (via Flickr)
“We are thrilled to be hosting this exciting book event alongside our partners in the iconic Central Library,” Cllr Hacking commented.
“The book club is a magnificent initiative to inspire a love of reading and creativity to get our children engaged and excited by books, and this launch event is one that families with young children will not want to miss.”
Emily Sergeant -
8th July 2022 
