This Times’ outrage about Angela Rayner buying her boyfriend a suit had women (and quite a few men) spitting nails
Another day, another story about stuff that Keir Starmer (or members of his government) have been given for free.
Except, hang on a minute, this particular Times story about deputy PM Angela Rayner was similar but different, very different. Because there were no freebies here, just something she bought – a gift for her partner – with her own money. And yet …
And if this tale stank of anything, it wasn’t cronyism, or corruption, it was another C word. See if you can spot it …
1.
Part 789 of why would any woman enter politics…THIS is a real ‘story’, about the Deputy PM buying her boyfriend a Christmas present – a suit – with HER OWN MONEY. Has everyone lost the absolute plot?? https://t.co/ec8ZJmnoCy
— Terri White (@Terri_White) October 6, 2024
2.
I read it several times to check I hadn’t missed some impropriety but no, it really is WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS BUYING AN EXPENSIVE SUIT
— Terri White (@Terri_White) October 6, 2024
3.
This isn’t news. It’s Tory propaganda.
Barely bats an eye when Zahawi heats his stables, Johnson freeloads his arse off or McVey takes £18K freebies in 2months.
Rayner pays for something expensive herself and The Times wants to shame her.
What a nasty, snobby, shit-stirring rag. pic.twitter.com/baib0PvtvM— sarah murphy (@13sarahmurphy) October 7, 2024
4.
Woman spends own money. Non story
— Helen Salmon – Chippy person Back to square one (@HelenSalmon2) October 7, 2024
5.
They don’t even try to hide the classism and misogyny anymore. This would never be a story if it was a posh man buying a present for his wife. https://t.co/zebDPZcL3K
— Natalie Bloomer (@natalie_bloomer) October 7, 2024
6.
This story is extraordinary, in ways that should embarrass @thetimes
It’s basically ‘A person buys their partner a nice present’. That’s it.
A heady brew of misogyny, class prejudice, agenda-pursuit and disingenuous dog-whistling – everything that’s wrong with modern journalism. pic.twitter.com/SBkwkVQTHs— Phil Harrison (@MrPMHarrison) October 7, 2024
7.
Them’s the rules though! You’re not allowed anything nice if you simultaneously want a fairer society! See also: If you demand we stop burning fossil fuels you have to be pushed round in a cart in a hessian sack and shit in a bucket #turdpipejournos
— Shaun Keaveny (@shaunwkeaveny) October 7, 2024