Appearing on the BBC Breakfast sofa to be interviewed by Dan Walker and Louise Minchin, Long-Bailey spoke on Labour’s plans to put through legislation to stop a no deal Brexit.
But Walker wasn’t satisfied with the answers the politician was giving and expressed how “frustrating” it was to keep hearing “ifs and buts”.
It came as he tried to get to the bottom of Labour’s position on a general election.
Walker probed: “Can I try and get you to nail down your position? A general election for example is called by Boris Johnson before the 31st of October, would you back that?”
Long-Bailey answered: “Well, that’s why we are trying to push forward legislation this week that would avoid us being in a No Deal situation.
“There are two things we want to ensure happen this week, firstly we want to ensure that legislation is passed with the full support of Parliament to stop a No Deal Brexit without parliamentary approval and then secondly we want the government to recognise that and ensure that passes through Parliament.
“Any attempt by the government to stop that would be a constitutional outrage and we would not want to be a position during a general election where we crash out without a deal.
“That’s not to say we don’t support a general election because of course we do. We want to get rid of this Conservative government because of the damage it’s done to my constituency and every single constituency across the UK.”
However, it appeared Walker was not happy with her answer and took Rebecca to task over MPs not providing “straight answers”.
He declared: “I don’t want to sound cruel in saying this and you are one of these MPs that come on this programme a lot, you are always ready to answer questions but can you see how it’s frustrating for us to sit here, and I’m sure for our viewers as well, when we ask MPs questions and it’s hard to get a straight answer even when you ask a question two or three times sometimes about what would your position be on this it’s always ifs and buts.”
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“You asked me if I want a general election, of course we want a general election,” Long-Bailey replied.
Walker interrupted to continue: “I know but don’t you think straight answers, they resonate with people, especially at a time like this?”
Long-Bailey retorted: “I am giving you straight answers, you asked me if we want a general election, of course we want a general election.
“We’ve asked for that repeatedly of a number of weeks and months now because we need to get rid of a Conservative government that’s done untold damage.
“Not just in relation to Brexit but to normal people’s lives right across the country.”
Some viewers were quick to agree with Walker and took to Twitter to comment.
One shared: “@BBCBreakfast @mrdanwalker I completely agree with you – it’s beyond frustrating when Politicians just repeat their agreed sound bites without actually answering a question.”
“@BBCBreakfast @mrdanwalker You’ve hit the nail on the head. We’re all fed up with empty promises. Please don’t interview people who won’t commit to anything,” a second added.
However, some did disagree as one viewer wrote: “@BBCBreakfast FFS she can’t give you a straight answer you morons, the permutations are so great it’s impossible to give black and white answers. Pathetic.”
BBC Breakfast airs weekdays at 6am on BBC One.