The ingenious humour of the British public vs the Home Office

By Caron Lindsay | Sat 27th July 2013 - 10:30 am

Yes, I know I’ve banged on a bit about these awful Home Office poster vans this week, but bear with me. This is funny.

I said at the time that we needed some sort of original and creative way of protesting against them. Really, they were crying out to be mocked. The internet has not disappointed.

Liberal Conspiracy has a few examples, although it should be noted that it’s not found the time within its articles on this subject to mention the Liberal Democrat opposition to the vans, nor that they were never cleared by any Liberal Democrat minister.

The #racistvan tag on Twitter is full of some quite funny ripostes and replies.

I doubt you’ll be surprised at my absolute favourite, from Martin Belam:

I’ve asked #racistvan for help on behalf of a lonely old wandering illegal alien pic.twitter.com/RvUbPCDEb5

— Martin Belam (@MartinBelam) July 26, 2013

Feel free to add anything in a similar veinyou’ve seen in the comments, or, if this has inspired you, add your own message to the Home Office. The number is 78070 and the first word has to be HOME – but after that, just use your imagination.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings

4 Comments

Chris 27th Jul '13 - 11:23am

“Liberal Conspiracy has a few examples, although it should be noted that it’s not found the time within its articles on this subject to mention the Liberal Democrat opposition to the vans, nor that they were never cleared by any Liberal Democrat minister.”

According to an unnamed party spokesman, they were not “cleared or agreed”. Does that choice of words imply that a Lib Dem minister (or ministers) were aware of this policy and raised no objection? Frankly, I can think of no other explanation for the total lack of criticism of the scheme from Lib Dem ministers. Unless, of course, they fear alienating the xenophobic/racist vote.
nuclear cockroach 27th Jul '13 - 12:51pm

@Caron

“although it should be noted that it’s not found the time within its articles on this subject to mention the Liberal Democrat opposition to the vans”

Until a senior Lib Dem MP stands before a microphone and makes his or her views known, or demands the recall of Parliament and an emergency debate about this trash, then one can only assume that Lib Dem MPs are in favour. They have been remarkably mute, to their collective disgrace.
Jennie 28th Jul '13 - 9:03am

nuclear cockroach: Julian Huppert hasn’t. Not had Tim Farron. Unfortunately the news media don’t seem to want to have them discuss it…
Martin 28th Jul '13 - 12:40pm

The Lib Dems must be ok with this or it wouldn’t have been allowed, surely? Your part of the government!