On jumpers and idiots


The BBC’s political correspondent Chris Mason does a nice job here of explaining how today’s “Jumpergate” story isn’t really a story at all. Here’s the bit that should drive us mad, the exchange between various members of Her Majesty’s Press and the Prime Minister’s official spokesman:
Reporter: "Does the prime minister wear a jumper at home?"
Official Spokesman: "The prime minister doesn't tend to give fashion tips."
Several further questions along the same lines came along, which didn't get very far. The spokesman was then asked about what the PM thought of charities giving advice that perhaps people should consider wrapping up warm. Here was the response:
"Clearly, he is not going to prescribe necessarily the actions individuals should take about that. But if people are giving that advice, that is something that people may wish to consider."
Setting aside the fact that wearing a jumper indoors is a perfectly acceptable thing to do (I'm wearing one right now, reader) what you see here is several highly intelligent and influential people using their intelligence and influence to produce/prevent a story about wearing jumpers. Whilst people shiver and struggle, whatever they're wearing. A plague on both your well-insulated houses.