Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty look at a stand with Mince Pies (Image: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Although Sunak is usually associated with Kitson’s pie shop in Northallerton High which he said, there was another bakery which was his favourite!
Christian Calgie, Senior Political Correspondent for the Express, reminisced to a “particularly fun time with Rishi at the last Christmas party in Downing Street because I grew up in North Yorkshire where his seat is.”
Speaking on The Division Bell podcast, Christian revealed: “I’ve known him since about 2015, so years before any lobby had even heard of this guy he was on my radar.”
With fondness, Christian admitted: “When I was just starting off life, he came bounding over to me like sort of a young puppy and just started talking to me about how he did a work experience shift at our local pie shop in the village.”
The pie shop which is good enough for an MP is called Pitches in Great Ayton, Sunak was clearly a fan as he excitedly said: “I actually wrote about it in my DNS Times column this week!”
Christian said that Sunak was very enthusiastic and started regaling pie facts whilst Beth Rigby and Chris Mason were there waiting for their chance to talk to the Prime Minister.
Although the whole experience was “slightly surreal”, it was undoubtedly a memorable Christmas work-do!
Although it’s hard to imagine having a chinwag with politicians, Christian admitted: “Even though we spend all of our lives attacking politicians, when you meet them one on one they are, by and large, accepting of the fact that this is my job, that’s their job and we will be fine about it!”
This week on The Division Bell, Christian is joined by Lizzy Buchan, Political Editor of the Mirror, as they look back on 2024 and make predictions for next year in Westminster. Listen on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts.