Slipping standards in UK politics

Some people have been shocked at a vulgar campaign mounted by the LibDems with their slogan ‘Bollocks to Brexit’.

A YouGov survey in 2010 found that 67% felt “bollocks” should only be used after the 9 o’clock watershed. Only one in five thought it should be allowed at any time; 12% thought it should be banned.

OFCOM rates the word “medium” in offensiveness, and cannot be used before the watershed on television.

Sir Vince Cable recently stated that people were too “easily offended” if they were unhappy with the party’s use of the message, and said it was a “clear, honest” way to outline his position on Brexit.

“There is also something called humour, okay maybe as a country we have lost our sense of humour but it is an attempt to put in a more pungent way, what an awful lot of people think,” he added.

Cable had also defended titling the party manifesto “Bollocks to Brexit” after the BBC’s Andrew Marr refused to read out the name on-air.

Mr Marr said: “This is the first manifesto whose title I cannot read out on Sunday morning television. Do you not feel a little embarrassed about the coarseness of your main election slogan?”

A referendum was held on Thursday 23 June, 2016, to decide whether the UK should leave or remain in the European Union. Leave won by 51.9% to 48.1%.

Southport’s LibDems proudly state on their site

‘Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to stop Brexit.’

However, the “course” new slogan does not seem to be highlighted on that site.

So, is the slogan comical or is it in poor taste?