On Good Morning Britain, Richard Madeley didn’t like Rishi Sunak’s new math project very much. He told viewers that Sunak should get a “smack in the chops.”
Today is likely to be the first speech the Prime Minister gives in 2023. He is expected to talk about a new plan to improve math skills in England.
People think he will say that students should be taught math until they are 18. This is because the UK is one of the only places in the world where children are not required to study math until they are adults.
The crumbling NHS, the rising cost of living, and the ongoing rail strikes have already made people very angry about Mr. Sunak’s supposed mission.
The controversial idea was talked about a lot on Good Morning Britain. Regular guest and editor of the Daily Mirror, Kevin Maguire, said, “It’s ridiculous for Sunak to go this route now.”
‘He’s asking for a smack in the chops, isn’t he?’ Madeley responded. ‘Politically speaking.’
Co-host Susanna Reid quickly intervened to add: ‘Metaphorically, shall we say.’
Meanwhile, fellow guest political commentator Ed Vaizey argued that Mr Sunak’s initiative is ‘the right policy’. ‘It is a good idea to study maths until 18,’ he told the programme.
Good Morning Britain viewers also had their say online, with many people hitting out at the Conservative Party leader.
‘Rishi Sunak is clueless and so out of touch with reality, he might as well be on another planet,’ one scathed.
Echoing a similar sentiment, another raged: ‘The PM wants everyone to study analytics/maths until age 18. Priorities Sunak, priorities!
‘Talk about clueless when the NHS is crumbling, it’s almost as if he doesn’t care and wants private medical care in place – oh hold on.’
This afternoon, Mr Sunak is expected to vow that with the ‘right plan’, he sees ‘no reason’ why ‘we cannot rival the best education systems in the world’.
He will say: ‘This is personal for me. Every opportunity I’ve had in life began with the education I was so fortunate to receive.
‘And it’s the single most important reason why I came into politics: to give every child the highest possible standard of education.
‘With the right plan – the right commitment to excellence – I see no reason why we cannot rival the best education systems in the world’.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.