Martin Lewis gives savage response to calls for him to become Prime Minister

28 January 2024 , 12:15

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Martin Lewis made it clear he does not want to be Prime Minister (Image: ITV)

Consumer champion Martin Lewis has said he would "rather wire my nipples to electrodes" than be Prime Minister after focus groups suggested he should lead the country.

The Money Saving Expert founder, who is considered one of the country's most trusted voices, took to social media to stamp out any speculation he had his eye on entering Downing Street. It came after his name was repeatedly raised as someone who would make a good PM in a focus group of 50 voters for the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme. Other names suggested as better PMs were Sir Alex Ferguson, Alan Sugar and Carol Vorderman.

Mr Lewis tweeted: "That's flattering, thank you very kindly, but I'd rather wire my nipples to electrodes. Our system is overly adversarial - mandating politicians to lie and sell policies they disagree with in order to hold the party line.

"It is structured with an official "opposition" designed to oppose for the sake of it. Few can thrive in that environment. I believe in public service, but my mental health isn't robust enough. I wouldn't subject my family to it - would you?"

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Mr Lewis has previously told how he was rejected by the House of Lords - because he was too busy. In an interview with the BBC's Political Thinking podcast in 2022, Mr Lewis said he was grilled by the House of Lords Appointments Commission over his bid to become a crossbench peer.

"I did this really silly thing and I was honest in the interview," he said. "I'm very busy with my job, but most importantly, I have a nine-year-old daughter and until she is 13, my most important job from 6.30pm until 8pm at night is to be with her and put her to bed.

"I would see my role as being learning for three to five years, with limited input and then gradually over the next five to 10 years, committing more time to the House of Lords." He said he thought this may have been a "stumbling block" to his application.

Mr Lewis has since said he won't reapply for a peerage. "I'm not sure I would enjoy it," he told the Telegraph last year. "And actually, I've got to a point where in influence terms, I'm not sure it would make any difference to me."

Lizzy Buchan