David Seymour fat-shames politicians in bizarre defence of Dancing With The Stars

ACT party politician David Seymour has openly fat-shamed politicians, saying journalists should use a wide-angle lense to figure out which politicians are carrying too many pounds. 

Mr Seymour was asked by journalists why he's claimed entering Dancing With The Stars will make New Zealand a better country. 

"Those kids at 0800kidsline that I'm supporting have done more to improve NZ than just about anyone I know," he said, before going on a tangent about obesity.

"You look around Parliament; there's a few people carrying a few more pounds than perhaps they should be. It's healthy for people have a hobby that helps them lose a bit of weight.

"I don't want to end up dying of a heart attack when there's so much I could be going to make New Zealand a better place," he said.

David Seymour fat-shames politicians in bizarre defence of Dancing With The Stars
Photo credit: Newshub.

When asked whether that comment was fat-shaming politicians, Mr Seymour kept on waltzing.

"Absolutely, we have an obesity crisis in this country and no-one's doing anything about it. I am."

"I don't think I need to name names," he said. "I think the media should get out there with your wide-angle lenses and look around."

He said it's "more important we confront these issues than this whole 'Oh my God, you're about to offend somebody'. I'm interested in speaking truth".

"I believe in freedom of speech and public health, and I don't see why we shouldn't be prepared to say, 'Look, it is actually important that people get out and exercise'."

Mr Seymour was asked whether he would be implementing a sugar tax, but he said no, because that wouldn't be effective. 

He said there were still 10 stars to announce, singling out one of the press gallery journalists, saying he "might be one of them".

He then said he "wouldn't want to call" the journalist fat. 

"Everyone knows there's some serious Adonis going on under that suit," he said.

Newshub.