Ed Miliband and John Healey ridiculed for tuk-tuk video – 'are they serious?!'
Ed Miliband and John Healey ridiculed for tuk-tuk video – 'are they serious?!' Chancellor and Foreign Secretary lampooned for taking time out to test Thai snacks in three-wheeled vehicle less than two weeks before tough Budget Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Steph Spyro , Deputy political editor and environment editor 10:30, Fri, Oct 16, 2026 Updated: 10:32, Fri, Oct 16, 2026 Ed Miliband and John Healey in a tuk-tuk in Thailand (Image: Government) Chancellor John Healey and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband have been criticised for tasting Thai snacks in a tuk-tuk less than two weeks before a challenging Budget . The Cabinet ministers featured in a clip on social media, set to upbeat music, sampling local foods while riding the three-wheeled vehicle popular with tourists in Thailand. Tory Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith accused Mr Healey of “pretending to be an influencer” in the Thai capital while the UK grapples with high prices and borrowing costs driven by global crises. Mr Griffith said on X: “Are they serious?! We have record-high borrowing costs. Fuel prices are through the roof, taxpayers are fleeing Britain, and we have a youth unemployment crisis. Meanwhile, the Chancellor is pretending to be an influencer…” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Trump hits back at Zelensky and brands him 'not a good guy' in blistering attack Fiona Bruce forced to intervene as Labour MP fumes at 'corrupt old boys' jibe at EU Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Mr Healey and Mr Miliband are in Bangkok for the yearly meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. In the video, the pair say the Thai snacks are “better than scampi fries” and “arguably better than pork scratchings”. In apparent reference to a famous photo of him with a bacon sandwich , Mr Miliband jokes: “Eating on camera has not been my forte, John, but I’m going to have a go.” The Chancellor has warned the public to be prepared for a tough Budget on October 28. He and Prime Minister Andy Burnham have promised to help families and businesses with cost-of-living pressures, worsened by the US’s war with Iran, even as Government borrowing costs have soared. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Speaking to the BBC from the IMF meeting, Mr Healey said: “It’s a tough time. People can see the global economic conflicts, they know the pressure it’s putting on them, they understand it’s putting pressure on the Government.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT He also suggested Government departments may not be given extra cash to cover pay rises for doctors and nurses, saying: “Where we want to do things, we have to make sure that we can pay for them within the budgets that we’ve got and control spending.” Ed Miliband John Healey Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments