Tom Tugendhat Quotes Harry Potter's Dumbledore in UK Prime Minister Debate

Many serious issues were discussed during the UK's Leadership Debate on Channel 4. However, one of the candidates in the race for Prime Minister used a not-so-serious source to support his arguments during the debate. Tom Tugendhat, a member of the Conservative Party, quoted Albus Dumbledore from Harry Potter in one of his answers.

"I'm willing to call out friends as well as enemies," Tugendhat said, following up with a quote that sounded eerily similar to one from Dumbledore in the J.K. Rowling books and movie adaptations, "It's easy to stand up to your enemies. It's sometimes harder to stand up to your friends."

One Harry Potter fan noticed the quote from the franchise and tweeted, "Tugendhat literally quoting Dumbledore in his pitch to be PM," alongside an image from the films.

Tugendhat literally quoting Dumbledore in his pitch to be PM #C4LeaderDebate pic.twitter.com/j5SWt6lAhq

— Martin Coulter (@MartinJBCoulter) July 15, 2022

Another viewer tweeted the video from the Channel 4 feed, asking, "We all spotted Tom Tugendhat quoting Albus Dumbledore there yes?"

We all spotted Tom Tugendhat quoting Albus Dumbledore there yes? pic.twitter.com/DkIGhRLChJ

— Rachael Venables (@rachaelvenables) July 15, 2022

Other viewers noticed the odd quote as well, tweeting reactions that included political takes and images from the Harry Potter movies.

When you hear a tory quote dumbledore #C4LeaderDebate pic.twitter.com/uZDotGhQop

— Zerocluecosplay (@zerocluenoideas) July 15, 2022

Tom Tugenhat was the ONLY one to admit Johnson isn't honest & got an applause for that. Seems like a decent bloke & knows his Dumbledore.
He won't last...#C4LeaderDebate #Ch4news pic.twitter.com/4P8PciiBk8

— Gerry Stergiopoulos (@GerryGreek) July 15, 2022

Well who had “Quoting Dumbledore” on the Conservative leadership debate bingo card? 🤔

— Dr Amy Kavanagh (@BlondeHistorian) July 15, 2022

tom tugendhat basically quoting albus dumbledore was not on my list for this debate but . . . we move

— ridley! 🌟 (@elIiottdunne) July 15, 2022

Kirstie Renae is a writer, blogger, and Austin-based actress with a penchant for binge-watching TV with her dogs. Follow her on Twitter @KirstieRenae.