An argument erupted on Politics Live on Tuesday, June 11, as Labour MP Sarah Owen slammed Reform MP,  Sarah Pochin, as they debated Reform’s plan for the economy. Owen said that it was like “arguing with a teenager,” to which Pochin fired back “that’s offensive”, as the two women square off against each other during the BBC programme.

Pochin continued angrily: “You can say that because you know we are now representing the views of this country”.However, Owen accused Pochin of “talking over her continuously” during the tense scenes. Viewers weighed in on the incredible display in the comment section on Twitter/X. One remarked: “Sarah Owen demonstrates how out of touch Labour MPs are with real people.” While another replied: “Reform really have got these leftists backed in to a corner”.

Owen accused Pochin of continuously talking over her. (Image: BBC)

Pochin, who was previously a member of the The Conservative party recently triumphed in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by just six votes, pipping.Labour candidate Karen Shore to the post.

She was announced in March by Nigel Farage as Reform UK’s candidate for the by-election, after Labour MP Mike Amesbury was convicted for punching a constituent and after winning the election, she declared: “Enough Tory failure, enough Labour lies”.

Her victory makes her Reform UK’s fifth MP and its first female representative in the House of Commons. Pochin’s appearance on Politics Live comes as Reform claimed they would scrap interest on central bank reserves, which could save as much as £35 billion; they also proposed tax cuts of nearly £90 billion per year and spending increases of £50 billion per year.

Elsewhere in the programme, Pochin defended her call for the burka to be banned, arguing it hinders police from doing their job.

The party’s newest MP raised the issue during Prime Minister’s Questions last week, stating that some members wore the garment.Muslim women should be banned “in the interests of public safety”.

She told Politics Live the burka could also be a “barrier” to cultural integration; however, Owen accused Pochin of “dog whistle politics” and argued the state should not tell women what to wear.

Pochin shared: “We know male terrorists put burkas on to be in disguise. I’m not saying that happens all the time. Of course I am not. The point is, it is just another barrier to police doing their job, and we need to feel safe in this country. I feel very strongly that if you want to come and live in this country, you live by our culture and we will respect yours.”