Deflated reporter at loss to fish out anything of substance in PM’s campaign interview at Devon port

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

The prime minister, Theresa May, has been accused by some of sounding monotonous on the campaign trail. And the latest source is the Plymouth Herald, which has accused her of managing to get through a whole interview without saying anything.

The paper sent its reporter to interview May as she “chatted with fishermen and nodded earnestly at nets and buckets” on the Devon coast.

“To start with, it was quite an exciting experience ... But no sooner had the ministerial car pulled away from Sutton harbour than I began to feel a bit deflated,” the Herald’s chief reporter, Sam Blackledge, wrote. “Back at the office, we scratched our heads and wondered what the top line was. She had given me absolutely nothing.”

In the article, Blackledge summarised the interview like this.

The Herald: “Two visits in six weeks to one of the country’s most marginal constituencies – is she getting worried?”



May: “I’m very clear that this is a crucial election for this country.”

TH: “Plymouth is feeling the effects of military cuts. Will she guarantee to protect the city from further pain?”

M: “I’m very clear that Plymouth has a proud record of connection with the armed forces.”

TH: “How will your Brexit plan make Plymouth better off?”



M: “I think there is a better future ahead for Plymouth and for the whole of the UK.”

TH: “Will you promise to sort out our transport links?”

M: “I’m very clear that connectivity is hugely important for Plymouth and the south-west generally.”