Many people have been left shocked at the news that former Conservative Health Secretary Matt Hancock is heading for the jungle to take part in I’m a Celebrity…. Get me out of Here.
Prior to his stay in the Australian bush, the former Tory health secretary landed at Brisbane Airport on Wednesday. Many people believe he should be in Parliament representing his constituency, not on television, and as a result, he has been suspended as a Tory MP as a result of his choice to join the show.
Mr. Hancock made an effort to defend his choice to participate in the reality programme so he could “go to where the people are — not to sit in ivory towers in Westminster”. Writing in The Sun, Mr Hancock said: “While there will undoubtedly be those who think I shouldn’t go, I think it’s a great opportunity to talk directly to people who aren’t always interested in politics, even if they care very much about how our country’s run.”
However, readers have swiftly criticised his choice, with one writing:”No member of Parliament should ever do something else, like going on holiday, going on tv reality etc. when they are getting well paid to do their job! He has in effect had the sack but will still be paid and get his job back when he gets back. Sacked should mean sacked! It’s time all of Parliament was brought into this century.” Right or wrong? Should Matt Hancock be in the jungle?
While some people declared they would boycott the programme because it featured an active politician, many others expressed excitement about seeing him complete all of the gruesome tasks because they thought he would be the main target when the public voted on who should participate in that day’s jungle trial.
He could encounter difficulties like having to consume horrible stuff like ostrich anus or traverse through muddy, damp tunnels full of bugs and snakes.
Some people are far more enthused about the possibility of him having to eat kangaroo penis than the Conservative MP for West Suffolk, who may be looking forward to discussing politics over the campfire. A reader wrote a comment “Can you imagine how relieved the other camp mates are now.. coz [sic] they know who’s getting voted for each trial.”
While another piped up: “He is going to be voted for every single trial, I can’t wait to see the other celebrities’ faces when he walks into the jungle lol.”
Mr Hancock’s desire to ‘meet the people where they are’ could open his eyes, however, with one reader adding: “At least he will know what it feels like to go hungry like many poor people are and to sleep rough.”
The overwhelming feedback is that people are relishing the chance to see the MP suffer. One summed it up by saying: “Obviously people are going to vote for him to do trials etc just to see him suffer just like most of the country is suffering now with everything that’s going on. Only difference is he’s going to get paid for his suffering, makes my blood boil.”
Meanwhile, the debate about whether it’s appropriate for him to be taking part at all continues. “As a member of Parliament he should have some respect for the hardships people are enduring at this time, I just feel this is completely inappropriate,” said one.
