Chris Bryant didn’t hold back in the Commons as he tore into Tory MP Richard Holden’s infamous “chicken run” during a fiery exchange.
Holden, once the Tory party chair and now shadow paymaster general, was parachuted into the safe Basildon and Billericay seat after his old North West Durham patch was axed. The late switch just before the candidate deadline raised plenty of eyebrows — and accusations of a Conservative “stitch-up.”
🎤 The setup: EU touring rights
Holden stood up to quiz the culture minister about restoring post-Brexit EU touring rights for musicians — but Bryant saw the perfect opportunity to flip the script.
“If only he had been a minister in the previous government when they failed to take the deal that was on offer from the European Union,” Bryant jabbed, to sniggers around the chamber.
🎬 ‘Chicken Run’ and a scowling Holden
Then came the killer punch.
“If he wants to promote creative industries, he might want to start with film — for instance, Chicken Run,” Bryant added, twisting the knife.
He also referenced musician Caitlin Lavagna’s song Run a Mile — saying it “might suit” Holden, who reportedly scowled in response.
🗳️ From ‘bloody loyal’ to barely elected
Holden’s switch didn’t go unnoticed last year. After swearing he was “bloody loyal” to the North East, his move south drew mockery from all sides.
He even clashed with Sky’s Jon Craig over being “parachuted” into the seat, with a Tory press officer forced to shut the interview down.
Despite the safe reputation of the seat, he scraped through by just 20 votes.
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