Rishi Sunak’s lectern is dubbed ‘bad omen’ as people surprised by its origin

A far cry from Liz Truss’ Jenga podium, Rishi Sunak’s plain wooden offering has left some people wanting – but those calling for them to be recycled may be pleased to find out the origin behind the new PM’s lectern

With Downing Street’s revolving door working overtime recently, it’s been pretty hard to keep up with all of the political changes afoot. Or at least, it likely has been for staff at Number 10, who recently had to welcome the third Prime Minister in as many months.

But it’s one noticeable change outside of the famed front door that has got everybody talking: Rishi Sunak’s new lectern. Well, new for the latest Prime Minister. It is not in fact a new lectern, as the BBC ‘s political correspondent Nick Eardley pointed out on 5 Live Breakfast : “I hear that whilst a new lectern was bought for previous Prime Ministers, one wasn’t bought for Rishi Sunak, quite possibly because there wasn’t time.”

While using a “recycled” lectern must surely be a more environmentally-responsible choice, some people have suggested that a repurposed podium from a previously ill-fated administration might not bode well for the former chancellor.

Taking to Twitter to express his concern, one worried author called the decision “another very bad omen.”