Pimms and Pina Coladas: The cocktails voters most associate with political leaders

Rachael Burford
·2-min read
(L-R) Sir Keir Starmer, Rishi Sunak and Nigel Farage (PA)
(L-R) Sir Keir Starmer, Rishi Sunak and Nigel Farage (PA)

Pub-loving voters have revealed what cocktail they think best represents Britain’s politicians - and which party leader they would most like to share a drink with.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Nigel Farage are thought of as the classic whisky-based Old Fashioned, while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reminds the public of an alcohol-free mocktail.

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves would be the coconut and rum-based Pina Colada, according to a Survation poll for the UK Spirits Alliance.

Britons thought leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt reminds them of a British Pimms.

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner has previously revealed she is a fan of the super strong Venom cocktail - a mix of vodka, whiskey, WKD Blue and orange juice.

But according to those surveyed she would be the more tropical Sex On The Beach – a drink made with vodka, peach schnapps, orange and cranberry juice.

Meanwhile almost a third of those surveyed picked Reform UK leader Mr Farage as the party boss they would most like to go for a drink with. He came ahead of Sir Keir in second, Mr Sunak, Lib Dem Ed Davey and the SNP’s John Swinney.

It comes as the UK Spirits Alliance calls on the new government to “back British distillers” and pubs and rule out further increases to tax on spirits.

Stephen Russell, the co-founder of Copper Rivet distillery in Kent, said: “While it’s good fun to talk about what cocktail we’d associate politicians with, there’s a serious point.

“Pubs are more than pints. Whisky, gin and other spirits are vital to the revenue of pubs, bars, and restaurants around the country.

“There will be plenty of fans enjoying the England game with a cocktail or G&T rather than a pint. They will be paying far more tax for their drink of choice, despite a pint containing more units of alcohol.

“Eighty per cent of the cost of a bottle of gin is claimed in tax.

“The new government should rule out further tax increases and instead back UK distillers producing world-class spirits, which will encourage investment and growth.”

Which party leader would you most like to go for a drink with?

Nigel Farage

27.05%

Sir Keir Starmer

22.48%

Rishi Sunak

9.39%

Ed Davey

8.86%

John Swinney

5.01%

Don’t know

27.22%

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