Top Tory tells poor people they shouldn't watch TV as it rots their brain
A top Tory toff has sparked fury by saying people on benefits should be banned from watching TV — because it rots their brain. Former Conservative MP Baroness Rachel Maclean — currently Kemi Badenoch's director of strategy — said TV saps benefit claimants' motivation to get a job. She made the astonishing claim in response to reports benefit claimants could receive free television licences under BBC reforms being considered by culture secretary Lisa Nandy.
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Maclean's direct claim on TV and the BBC reforms angle
She said on X: "People on benefits should not be watching TV. It rots their brain and saps their motivation to get a job or contribute to society. Why can't Labour see this?" Maclean, one of dozens of Tory MPs booted out by fed up Brits in the last election, is now one of Tory leader Badenoch's closest allies.
Backlash on social media and Maclean's alliance with Badenoch
Maclean's comments were roundly criticised on social media, with users posting harsh responses such as: "Are you a Dickensian villain?" Another asked: "What’s it like being a stone cold f**king psychopath, Rachel?" A third said: "I had to check this wasn’t a parody of a nasty Tory. Turns out it’s not, it’s real. Another disgusting punch down. This isn’t normal behaviour you know." Another user added: "What a horrible human being you are. Most benefit claimants are working. Many are too sick or disabled to do so or have caring responsibilities. TV is a lifeline for many people." One person replied: "Without TV I don't know what I would do. When I can't get off the sofa for days because I am in so much pain, what should I do? Rachel would have me locked in a room with no TV or radio for company." Someone else chimed in: "I know police officers on benefits, I know people on benefits because they’re chronically ill and heavily disabled as well as people on benefits because they’re impaired after a brain tumour surgery." Another X user questioned the practicalities of such a ban, asking: "How does the tv know who's on benefits Rachel?"
Peerage, apologies and future promises
Baroness Maclean – who was also appointed to the House of Lords as part of the 2024 political peerages, nominated by Badenoch – was previously branded "deluded" after claiming the party "had done the apologies" after last year's ballot box bloodbath. According to the Telegraph, she said in July: "We’ve done the mea culpas, we’ve done the apologies, we’ve done all that. Now we want to look to the future and have something to give people hope." For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
