Hugh Grant Trolls The Tories With Yakety Sax As Boris Johnson's Government Falls Apart

As British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government fell apart in recent days, the novelty song "Yakety Sax" played at Westminister and was audible during interviews of lawmakers broadcast on national television.

The person responsible for playing the famous comedic tune, which traditionally accompanies slapstick routines and many memes, was Steve Bray, an activist who frequently protests the British government by playing music loudly. The reason Bray chose to play “Yakety Sax” earlier today (also known as the “Benny Hill Theme Tune”) was because actor Hugh Grant asked him to on Twitter.

Hugh Grant tweeted a request at activists protesting outside Westminster to play the Benny Hill theme on their loudspeakers; when they did it became the soundtrack for street interviews with leading Tories trying explain the situation to the British people pic.twitter.com/V1LxUoxRUE

— Aaron Fritschner (@Fritschner) July 7, 2022

Just for @HackedOffHugh as requested here today at the media circus… College Green. The Benny Hill theme tune. pic.twitter.com/Tazb57gT8e

— Steve Bray Activist Against Brexit +Corrupt Tories (@snb19692) July 7, 2022

Many thought “Yakety Sax” made the perfect soundtrack to Johnson’s largely self-inflicted fall. The highly memed Prime Minister has long been dogged by allegations of lying, corruption and unethical behavior. Boozy parties held by his office during coronavirus lockdowns, along with his subsequent cover-up of those parties, led to a loss of trust with the public.

The straw that broke the camel’s back this week was an attempt by Johnson to appoint Chris Pincher, a lawmaker accused of sexual harassment, to a high position. Johnson, when asked if he was aware of allegations against Pincher, said he wasn’t. When evidence emerged that Johnson was aware, the Prime Minister claimed to have simply forgotten.

Johnson was forced out of office by mass resignations of members of his own party, leaving him incapable of continuing to govern. A few weeks ago, Johnson narrowly survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament. This time, the Conservative party itself has ousted him as its leader.

While he has yet to officially resign as PM, it’s hard to imagine him being able to govern without a party behind him. As the viral video swept the web, many users were highly enthusiastic about “Yakety Sax.”

Petition for every political resignation from now on to have yakety sax playing in the background

— Daft Punky Brewster (@BenjaminMillar) July 7, 2022

If only someone had thought to blast Yakety Sax outside the Capitol on January 6th, whole different vibe for a government in collapse.

— Schooley (@Rschooley) July 7, 2022

Others online joked about Boris Johnson’s clutching at power.

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The year is 2042. Johnson is still PM. Dorries rotates between each ministerial position, two weeks at a time. The word 'resign' has been outlawed. Humming yakety sax is now punishable by death.

— Harvey (@HarveyArchaeo) July 7, 2022

A number of people also shared their appreciation for Hugh Grant, the iconic romantic comedy actor.

I bow down to Hugh Grant. https://t.co/2MO5rfZes9

— Bradley Whitford (@BradleyWhitford) July 7, 2022

I didn’t have “Hugh Grant trolling the Tories with Benny Hill music outside the Houses of Parliament” on my bingo card today and that’s no bad thing.https://t.co/xx5wQSRT3b

— Col B (@ColinBo48001482) July 7, 2022

Some even humorously suggested that Grant, who famously played a Prime Minister in the film Love, Actually, should succeed Johnson.

the real prime minister of the uk, hugh grant, is rightfully taking control of the country https://t.co/Ee56XGJeTS

— anukin skywalker (@anunonymous) July 7, 2022

Grant himself, who is staunchly anti-conservative, opined on Twitter about his view of the entanglement of the Conservative (or Tory) government with large media conglomerations, including the empire of Rupert Murdoch, who also controls Fox News in the United States.

Hugh Grant saying more in one tweet then the BBC News has all day https://t.co/WSB9U8Yc1C

— Phil (@philipjones09) July 7, 2022

Minions IV. pic.twitter.com/8aVouRlWR2

— Hugh Grant (@HackedOffHugh) July 4, 2022

Post-Brexit, the United Kingdom remains largely in political chaos in the eyes of many.

Johnson came to power following the collapse of Theresa May's government, which came into power following the collapse of David Cameron's. Many speculate that Johnson may stay on through autumn as a “caretaker” Prime Minister, and may be plotting to remain in power even longer than that.