'More divisive than Brexit': Kettering MP debates Weetabix and baked beans in Commons

Kettering MP Philip Hollobone has joined in the breakfast banter after Burton Latimer's famous Weetabix went viral after a baked bean serving suggestion.

A tweet sent by the firm's social media team had suggested ditching toast for Weetabix and topping them with Heinz Baked Beans, causing uproar.

During a business debate in the House of Commons Mr Hollobone, raised the issue of breakfast cereals - and whether it was acceptable to put baked beans on Weetabix.

He said: “One of the debates that has been dividing the nation this week, perhaps even more divisive than Brexit, is whether having Weetabix with baked beans is an attractive serving suggestion for a healthy meal.

“Now, we all need a little light relief in these difficult times, so may we have a debate on breakfast cereals and their contribution to a healthy diet so that we can all arrive at the shared position that with whatever it is served, Weetabix is a great British breakfast cereal fully worthy of promotion?”

Responding to calls by Mr Hollobone Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg joined in the banter and said: “As they used to say ‘Weetabix are unbeatabix’.

"My personal preference, if I were to eat Weetabix, is not with baked beans – which I’ve always thought are absolutely disgusting.

“There was an advert, well, I’m sorry if I’ve upset the makers of baked beans, there was a saying which is desperately politically incorrect nowadays – so I hope [shadow Commons leader Valerie Vaz] will forgive me – their advertising slogan: ‘A million housewives every day pick up a can of beans and say Beanz Meanz Heinz.’

“But when I was a child this was corrupted to: 'A million housewives every day pick up a can of beans and say: ‘Yuck, throw them away.’ I’m sorry – that has always been my view of baked beans.

“Though for preference for breakfast, Mr Speaker, you’ll know what I like – it’s nanny’s homemade marmalade on toast.”

Mr Rees-Mogg disclosed he prefers his Weetabix with hot milk and brown sugar.