A television politics expert in the United Kingdom was (literally) forced to eat his own words on Saturday. Matthew Goodwin, a politics professor at the University of Kent, had announced on twitter on May 27, “I do not believe that Labour, under Jeremy Corbyn, will poll 38%. I will happily eat my new Brexit book if they do.”
After Corbyn’s party won 40% of the votes, social media users quickly asked Goodwin to make good on his promise. Eventually, he agreed and appeared on a broadcast on Sky News, and ate a few pages of the book he co-wrote, Brexit: Why Britain voted to leave the European Union, later tweeting, “Don’t ever say I am not a man of my word”.
Scroll has produced award-winning journalism despite violent threats, falling ad revenues and rising costs. Support our work. Become a member today.

In these volatile times, Scroll remains steadfastly courageous, nuanced and comprehensive. Become a Scroll Member and support our award-winning reportage, commentary and culture writing.