‘Sunak Chickened Out’: Labour Shadow Minister Pays Up After Lost Bet With Sky News’ Kay Burley

Labour Shadow Minister Jonathan Ashworth paid up Tuesday morning after losing his bet to Sky News host Kay Burley that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would hold the general election in May.

Appearing on the program for the first time since Chancellor Jeremy Hunt hinted that the election was, instead, set for October, Ashworth paid up and presented Burley with a large cheque from the “Bank of Chicken” since the prime minister had “chickened out” of the May election date.

The wager, as agreed at the beginning of the month between the pair, would be donated to charity.

Burley: “Isn’t it about time that you paid up on your bet? You said there was going to be a May election.”

Ashworth: “I certainly did say there was going to be a May general election. That’s because I thought it’s either a May general election or a Tory leadership election. And it looks like we could well have a Tory leadership election. But Rishi Sunak chickened out. He’s running scared of the British people. We still need that election. He should name the date. But I am going to have to pay up. It was for charity, National Association of Children Alcoholics. And I have for you the cheque, here. Here is the… I am paying up.”

Burley: “National Association for Children of Alcoholics.”

Ashworth: “And it’s from the bank of chicken because Rishi Sunak chickened out. He didn’t call that general election. After 14 years of Tory failure, people want an election. They know it’s time for change. But he chickened out because he’s too weak.”

Burley: “Just give me the cheque.”

Ashworth: “And there we are. I promise you I’ve paid them. And for anybody, before anybody tweets me, I have paid the money to the charity as well.”

Burley: “You’re a very good man. Thank you very much indeed.”