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Saturday 30 December 2023

Puritans



Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg attacks 'po-faced puritans' over Truss honours criticism

The former business secretary defends the right of the ex-prime minister to give out peerages after just 49 days in office, as Labour calls it a "slap in the face for working people".

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has attacked critics of Liz Truss' honours list, calling them "po-faced puritans".

The former prime minister was allowed to submit her so-called "resignation honours" after leaving office last year - a convention given to all departing leaders - and the final 11 names were announced on Friday.



All good fun and the word 'puritans' seems to work in this kind of context because that's how it is used these days. Yet there is a sense where something like 'po-faced loons' would be more appropriate. Many other variations would be more appropriate too.

Those po-faced puritans aren't puritans themselves and don't intend to be. Strict puritanical lifestyles and observances are what they aim to impose on others.

8 comments:

James Higham said...

Po-faced puritans ... thought that was me for a moment.

A K Haart said...

James - surely not.

Sam Vega said...

Ironic that these are the sort of people who would give away educational awards and devalue the currency, yet get stressy about some pointless baubles.

A K Haart said...

Sam - which suggests Labour folk want the pointless baubles too, they do value them.

Anonymous said...

It would make such selections more interesting if the outgoing Prime Minister were to name a current member of the House of Frauds (not a misprint) to leave that establishment for each person placed in it.
Penseivat

A K Haart said...

Penseivat - that's a good idea, especially if they have the option of fighting a duel over it.

Tammly said...

Puritan life was emotionally very harsh. These people are emotional marsh mallows.

A K Haart said...

Tammly - yes they are marsh mallows, no substance to them.