Martin Lewis: ‘I’d rather wire my nipples to electrodes than go into politics’

Martin Lewis has addressed whether he’d ever consider a career in politics… and he couldn’t have given a more emphatic no if he tried.

Today, it was announced that the Money Saving Expert is set to receive the Bafta TV Special Award at this year’s ceremony, which is due to take place on May 10.

The journalist, who provides financial guidance on his TV show The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, as well as on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and This Morning, has been chosen as the recipient in recognition of his impact on the British public.

On the day of the announcement, Metro attended an event with other media where Martin was interviewed by Bafta CEO Jane Millichip about his prolific career, including the heavy impact politics has on his work.

When asked whether any political parties have asked him to represent them, he responded: ‘No official parties have asked. There’s often, over the years, been new parties trying to set up, and they’ve come and said, “Listen, we’re looking for a party leader.’ 

‘As I tend to say, I would prefer to wire my nipples to electrodes, not in a pleasant way, than go into politics. I’m not sure I can be any clearer. So it’s not going to happen.’

Martin, 53, emphasised that he always strives to ensure that what he does is ‘resolutely a-party-political’, while stressing that his work is still ‘incredibly political’.

‘I don’t want to confuse everyone. A lot of the work I do, the campaign work, is innately political, but it’s a-party-political. One of the reasons I think I managed to retain the connection with people is that it’s no fear and no favour.

‘I’m focused on governing parties. Whoever the government is, is the people I talk to, because it’s not a political job. It’s an active job. It’s a what’s-happening job. I will criticise any government of any party, but I will also commend any government of any party.’

Martin explained that the ‘biggest win’ he’s had this year was his efforts surrounding council tax debt collection, an issue that affects three million people a year.

The money saving expert explained that every year, within three months of missing a monthly payment, 1.7 million people have bailiffs sent in for council tax debt collection. Plus, within three weeks of missing the monthly council tax payment, ‘councils are legally allowed to ask you to pay for the whole year, and most councils do’.

Two years ago, Martin started a campaign with his charity concerning this issue, and they ‘went to meet Angela Rayner, who got it and was brilliant’.

Following a government consultation, just two weeks ago, it was announced that the deadline had been extended to 63 days, ‘and two months is seen as the traditional breathing space time that people can get their finances turned around’.

While he would have liked the gap to be larger, he acknowledged ‘it was a hard fight’ regarding an issue that’s been going on for 34 years.

‘If you don’t say thank you when they do the stuff you’ve asked for, they’re not going to do it again, because you need to give them some political credence,’ he added.

‘So I stay resolutely apolitical, because that way you can criticise and commend, and I think it’s important to criticise and commend, but not because I have any support. I’m not a member of any party. I’m not interested in any of that type of stuff. So thank you, but I’ll stay out.’

Martin is widely-regarded as a voice of trust when it comes to finances, someone who the nation can depend on to provide them with advice that can help them either solve or better understand any money struggles that they have. But with that responsibility comes a lot of pressure.

When Metro asked him whether he feels the pressure, he didn’t hesitate to answer ‘Only constantly. My anxiety levels are always high. They are always high. I had it in the early days, “You’re like a god to me.” 

‘I wouldn’t be able to leave the house the next day when that was said to me. I couldn’t cope with it. I’ve got a little bit better now.’

However, one thing that people do a lot that Martin would advise against is following his advice without actually understanding why he gave it.

‘The worst thing people say to me is, “Oh, I’m not sure I understand it, but I always do what you say.’ You have to understand it because what I say is specified for different individuals,’ he stressed.

Martin outlined how, when he provides financial guidance, he makes sure to include caveats so that people who turn to his website moneysavingexpert.com can understand any risks there may be.

‘I know so many of those people say to me, “I just do it, because you say I do it,” and I’m sitting there going, “Did I go too soon?” Because I can’t know, and you have to make a call at some point. Do I feel the pressure? Yes,’ he stated.

The Bafta TV Awards are due to take place on Sunday, May 10.

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