Coronavirus: Matt Lucas’ video mocking Boris Johnson’s speech to the nation goes viral
Written by News on 12/05/2020
Comedian Matt Lucas has posted a video mocking Boris Johnson’s speech to the nation on coronavirus.
In a clip which has been viewed more than three million times on Twitter, the Little Britain star parodied the prime minister following his announcement on how the lockdown will eased in England.
Lucas said: “So we are saying don’t go to work, go to work, don’t take public transport go to work, don’t go to work.
He added: “If you can work from home, go to work. Don’t go to work. Go outside. Don’t go outside. And then we will or won’t, something or other.”
Lucas revealed in a later tweet that he knows seven people who have died with coronavirus.
Social media users have praised Lucas’ parody video of the speech, with one NHS nurse saying she had been “devastated” by the announcement but that the video had “helped me smile”.
Another Twitter user said: “Thank you Matt, I have literally laughed my head clean off!!! Watched it numerous times & still chuckling…genius!!!”
Others criticised the video for making a joke out of a serious situation.
One user said: “Meanwhile Matt people are dying !!!! Love ya to bits but…….. Not really the time for taking the p***. People are having to bury their families !!!!!”
Lucas later responded: “I know 7 people who have died, Andy. When the message from our PM is clear and effective, satirists like me will be out of a job. I’ll be happy when that happens.”
Mr Johnson has received criticism that his speech did not provide enough clarity on how the lockdown is being eased.
He announced the conditional plan on Sunday evening after the government changed its message from “stay at home” to “stay alert”.
Those who cannot do their jobs from home should be “actively encouraged to go to work”, the prime minister said, but people should avoid public transport if possible.
More details are set to be announced in a 50-page document this afternoon.
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But some said the speech had created confusion.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “The prime minister appears to be effectively telling millions of people to go back to work without a clear plan for safety or clear guidance as to how to get there without using public transport.”
The leaders of Scotland and Wales also rejected the decision to replace the “stay at home” slogan with one to “stay alert”.
(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Matt Lucas’ video mocking Boris Johnson’s speech to the nation goes viral
