Against all expectations, Danny Boyle last night did the UK proud. In the kind of morale pep talk grey management consultants can only fantasise about, he created a spectacular opening show for the Olympic Games (note to LOGOC: up yours) which not only roused an old cynic like me, but showed the face of a downtrodden but proud country. What we were shown was ourselves – mad, off kilter, inventive, cynical, witty, rebellious, but proud of our social history, creativity, working class and NHS.
The show received almost universal praise. Universal, except for one MP, the delightful Aidan Burley, who inexplicably won Cannock last time around, despite knowing little of the area and having somewhat of a charm deficit.
This New Zealand born man, a political tourist parachuted into Cannock from Hammersmith and Fulham where he was a councillor, appears to have all the appeal of a septic boil and the variety self righteousness that only comes with being force fed the monetarist creed.
Readers will no doubt remember that Aidan got into a scrape after attending a Nazi-themed stag do in France, and then continuing to make shambling excuses for his abhorrent lack of judgement.
Lat night, his tweets about the ceremony showed a man not only out of touch, but hypocritical and nasty.
http://twitter.com/AidanBurleyMP/status/228958648892792832
http://twitter.com/AidanBurleyMP/status/228963706665574400
Later, after the storm ensued on the internet and media, he tried to calm the troubled waters:
http://twitter.com/AidanBurleyMP/status/228991668534263808
I have a message for you Aidan. You came to this country as an immigrant. Due to the generally open and caring nature of our society, you did well for yourself, and enjoyed everything this country has to offer. You are now a wealthy man, earning a very large wage and with it, we expect the dignity, respect and decorum that goes with the position.
You have failed on all counts, and make me sorry for Cannock, which must surely be wondering what they did to deserve you.
I have no time for privileged people currently running down my country. I, like everyone else I’ve spoken to was proud of the UK last night. Danny Boyle presented an extraordinary spectacle, and showed charm, vision, humour and guile. In short, all the features you and your tawdry, nasty outpourings lack.
Our country is currently being yanked apart by a government of spivs, chancers, idiots and charlatans, all of which are held in high regard by this sneering, charmless MP. However, we will endure. We will show this government that we are not to be browbeaten. I am proud of the multiculturalism Aidan so hates, of the NHS, social state and history of protest and rebellion. This is what we are. If you don’t understand it, you’re not part of it.You may well have been elected to represent us, but by your actions, you show you re not one of us.
I hope your party deselects you Aidan. You are a disgrace.