Theresa May described as 'Richard Nixon and Cersei Lanninster hybrid’ by Labour shadow minister
Emily Thornberry describes the Prime Ministers speech as being 'preposterous, paranoid and xenophobic'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Theresa May is behaving like a hybrid of Richard Nixon and the murderous Game of Thrones Queen Cersei Lannister, according to the shadow foreign secretary.
Emily Thornberry made the comparison after calling the Prime Minister's accusations about EU leaders trying to influence the general election “preposterous, paranoid and xenophobic”.
Cersei Lannister is a murderous queen from the Game of Thrones franchise and Richard Nixon is the only US president to have resigned from office.
Ms Thornberry said Ms May’s speech showed the Prime Minister was “wobbling” in the lead up to the 8 June ballot.
“For Theresa May to use the backdrop of Downing Street to make such preposterous, paranoid and xenophobic claims is ill-befitting the office of Prime Minister,” Ms Thornberry told The Guardian. "The only response from the British public should be to get her out of that office as soon as possible.
“She talks about strong and stable leadership, but at the first sign of difficulty in her talks with Brussels, she is wobbling and lashing out like some hybrid of Richard Nixon and Cersei Lannister.”
Ms Thornberry added that Ms May’s actions were getting in the way of the Brexit negotiations.
“Instead of alienating our European partners, and insulting them with these ludicrous accusations, she should be working to build effective relationships and make meaningful progress; that is the way to get the best deal for Britain,” she said.
In her speech outside Downing Street, Ms May tore into some EU leaders and officials and said Britain would not allow the "bureaucrats of Brussels to run over us".
"Britain’s negotiating position in Europe has been misrepresented in the continental press, the European Commission’s negotiating stance has hardened," she said.
The Prime Minister took no questions after her speech, which came after the German press gave an account of a meeting between Ms May and Jean Claude Juncker that portrayed the Prime Minister in an unfavourable light.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments