Comedian Joe Lycett Criticizes Home Secretary for Describing Rough Sleeping as a ‘Lifestyle Choice’
Renowned comedian Joe Lycett has taken a firm stance against Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s controversial statement referring to rough sleeping as a lifestyle choice. Lycett launched a scathing criticism of Braverman while starting a fundraising campaign for Crisis UK, a national charity that supports homeless individuals.
Braverman’s comments, which she shared on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), claimed that many individuals sleeping rough are from abroad and view living on the streets as a deliberate choice. She also warned of increased crime, drug use, and squalor in British cities if appropriate action is not taken.
In response, Lycett delivered a substantial blow to Braverman’s remarks, simultaneously initiating a fundraising effort for Crisis UK. He specifically targeted Braverman for categorizing rough sleeping as a lifestyle choice, emphasizing that he always thought such choices involved decisions like whether or not to use potpourri in a bathroom.
Accompanying his critique, Lycett shared an image of a potpourri bowl, urging people to donate to Crisis UK. His Instagram post read, My old friend Suella Braverman has described rough sleeping as a ‘lifestyle choice’. I always thought lifestyle choices were things such as cargo pants, fishing, and decorating your bathroom with a bowl of potpourri.
Lycett’s fundraising campaign has garnered over £14,200 as of now.
Expressing gratitude for Lycett’s efforts, Crisis UK acknowledged the initiative with a heartfelt message: Thank you so much Joe! The charity also condemned Braverman’s statements, emphasizing that sleeping rough is not a chosen lifestyle.
Highlighting the dearth of affordable housing and escalating rents as major contributors to homelessness, Crisis UK pointed out that individuals facing homelessness often encounter violence and abuse, leading to significant physical and mental health consequences.
Joining the voices of criticism, homelessness charity Shelter denounced Braverman’s comments on X, labeling them as unacceptable. Shelter adamantly stated that living on the streets is not a lifestyle choice, but rather an outcome of failed government policies. The organization emphasized that homeless individuals should not be penalized and that criminalizing sleeping in tents while restricting charitable assistance is unacceptable.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time Joe Lycett has targeted Suella Braverman. In October, the comedian composed a humorous parody letter to mock Braverman’s assertion that mere homosexuality should not be sufficient grounds for asylum-seeking refugees under international law. Braverman had suggested that people were falsely claiming to be LGBTQ+ to gain entry into the UK.
In his spoof letter, Lycett jokingly proposed a plan to eradicate these false claims, intending to significantly reduce successful asylum seekers. The plan facetiously entailed excluding immigrants from the UK unless they can prove that they are gay (to me).
Joe Lycett’s steadfast criticism of Suella Braverman highlights the importance of addressing and supporting individuals experiencing homelessness. Through his fundraising efforts for Crisis UK, Lycett aims to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by homelessness.
