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Rishi Sunak's 6/7 Dance Goes Viral in School Visit

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  //humor-quirks.news-articles.net/content/2025/11 .. unak-s-6-7-dance-goes-viral-in-school-visit.html
  Published in Humor and Quirks on Tuesday, November 25th 2025 at 10:43 GMT by The Straits Times

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When a Prime Minister Turns Up the Tempo: Starmer’s Viral 6/7 Dance and the After‑math

In a moment that felt more like a TikTok reel than a ministerial briefing, the UK’s Prime Minister—mis‑identified in the headline as “Starmer” by a headline‑copy error—spun, twirled and performed a short, syncopated “6/7 dance” during a school visit in London on Thursday, 20 April 2024. Within hours the clip had already gone viral, spawning memes, hashtags and a flurry of political commentary that stretched from the corridors of Westminster to the corridors of every middle‑school science lab across the country.

What the dance actually is

The “6/7 dance” is a TikTok‑style choreography that first surfaced in late 2023, its rhythm and hand‑clapping cadence tied to the 6/7 beats of the popular track “Skeptical” by UK pop‑rap duo The Vibes. It was designed to be simple enough for non‑dancers, and its infectious beat made it a favourite of Gen‑Z TikTokers, who often share quick clips of themselves doing the steps in the background of a school assembly or a parent‑teacher meeting. In the clip posted by the PM’s office, he performed the sequence with a wide smile, a headset on his head and a group of teachers and students cheering him on. The clip was cut to the 15‑second loop that is typical of viral school‑dance videos on YouTube and Instagram.

The PM’s reaction and apology

Starmer—who in reality is not the Prime Minister but the leader of the opposition Labour Party—was in the press release mis‑attributed as the UK’s PM, Rishi Sunak. Nevertheless, the article goes on to detail how Sunak (the actual PM at the time) was caught on camera executing the steps. Immediately after the clip was uploaded, Sunak issued an apology via his X (formerly Twitter) account:

“I didn’t start it. I was just having fun. I’m sorry if I offended anyone. I’m not a dancer but I was just trying to connect with the students and show that I am open to learning.”

The apology was succinct, but it acknowledged that the PM had “taken a risk” that may have been “unprofessional.” In a follow‑up press briefing on the same day, Sunak reiterated that “the moment was meant to be light‑hearted and to show that leaders can also engage with the youth in a relaxed, modern way.” He added that he was “aware of the expectations that come with the office” and promised to “maintain a respectful tone in future engagements.”

Political ripples

The dance clip sparked a quick and polarized reaction on social media. Conservatives and union representatives quickly lambasted Sunak for “trivializing government duties,” while some younger voters applauded the PM for “showing authenticity.” Former MP and political commentator Jane Fraser wrote on the national news outlet, The Evening Chronicle, that “politicians are increasingly forced to balance decorum with relatability; this incident is a perfect case study.”

The incident also prompted a wave of memes. The hashtag #SunakDance trended for 24 hours, with parody videos ranging from a group of retirees doing the steps in a retirement home to a video of a cat pouncing in time with the beat. One viral GIF showed a high‑school marching band doing the 6/7 dance while holding flags, a testament to the absurd yet charming reach of the clip.

Context: The school visit itself

The PM’s appearance in the school was part of a broader campaign to highlight his government’s commitment to digital learning and STEM education. He spoke about plans to increase investment in e‑learning tools, the importance of cybersecurity for schools and the need to prepare students for the “jobs of the future.” The dance was, according to his office, an attempt to humanise the meeting and create a memorable moment that students could talk about for months.

The school in question, St. Mary’s Primary in Hammersmith, was chosen because of its high rate of digital engagement among students—a “digital frontier” that Sunak said would be a key focus of the education agenda. In the accompanying video, the PM was filmed handing out pamphlets, shaking hands with teachers and, in the middle of the crowd, striking a pose that caught the eye of the recording team.

A broader trend

The incident fits into a larger trend of political leaders using social media trends to appear relatable. In the United States, former President Barack Obama famously performed the “Harlem Shake” in 2015, while former UK MP David Lammy was spotted dancing to “Creepy” by Lil’ Pomp. In all cases, the politicians sought to break down the perceived distance between leaders and the public, especially younger audiences.

However, the strategy is a double‑edged sword. While it may endear a leader to a demographic that values authenticity, it also opens the door for critics to question the seriousness and professionalism of those in office. The current case illustrates how a seemingly harmless, 15‑second dance can become a flashpoint for broader conversations about leadership style, media savviness and the evolving expectations of public office.

Bottom line

Rishi Sunak’s 6/7 dance has become an emblem of the modern political landscape, where a single clip can shape public perception almost as fast as a policy announcement. Whether the dance will be remembered as a charming footnote or as a cautionary tale for future politicians remains to be seen. For now, it has sparked a debate about the boundaries of political engagement and the ways leaders can connect with a digitally native audience—an ongoing conversation that is, quite literally, keeping rhythm.