What would the Sun do if this story was about Jeremy Corbyn?
These are the times that try men’s souls.
Claims the prime minister placed his honourable member in the mouth of a dead pig’s head while a student at Oxford, are like manna from heaven for the tabloid press.
All things being equal, Lord Ashcroft’s claims, published in today’s Daily Mail, would (to mix animal metaphors) be milked for all they are worth by a newspaper like the Sun.
But for Rupert Murdoch’s flagship red-top, some animals are more equal than others.
For while the Sun delighted in running cartoons about Ed Miliband every day for the last five years, never missing a chance to ridicule the Labour party leader, his rival David Cameron has been largely spared the same treatment.
Now the paper is faced with a choice.
Will the Sun cover the pig’s head claims as if the ‘private parts’ in question belonged to a Labour rather than Tory minister?
Put simply: what would the Sun do if this story was about Jeremy Corbyn?
Already the paper has begun cartooning Miliband’s replacement – including over his love life, decades after events took place.
How can it justify leaving a target as fat as this go by?
The Sun’s websites have started the bidding today in typical style. Now the question is:
Will the Sun put #piggate on its front page tomorrow?
Will there be giant headline puns and mock-up photos and cartoons?
Or will the paper lay bare its party bias, and make a joke of its claim to equal opportunity irreverence?
***
Like this story? Support our work: visit our crowdfunding page here.
Adam Barnett is a staff writer at Left Foot Forward. Follow MediaWatch on Twitter
Sign up for our weekly email by clicking here.
To reach hundreds of thousands of new readers and to make the biggest impact we can in the next general election, we need to grow our donor base substantially.
That's why in 2024, we are seeking to generate 150 additional regular donors to support Left Foot Forward's work.
We still need another 124 people to donate to hit the target. You can help. Donate today.
34 Responses to “Will the Sun put #piggate on its front page tomorrow?”
andagain
This alleged picture could not be found by a vengeful billionaire, so don’t hold your breath.
Patrick Nelson
: ) Poor old Cameron, who knows what will happen?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBpQJ98rR4o
Patrick Nelson
Yes its absolutely ridiculous, we all know know from Jeeves and Wooster that toffs don’t have to PUT THE SAUSAGE BACK IN THE PIG to join a dining club, they have to steal a policeman’s helmet…
…and as for this shocking piece of puke raising yuckmuckery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8LN2QnPdcA urgh : )
Patrick Nelson
Yes we are all barmy pig fellators !?! Boo to the boring prolish lefties and ra! ra! ra! for the silver spooned pig aficionados : )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu1ssuBaAGM
Patrick Nelson
Total, shambles, yes we lefty buffoon idiots should all be more like David Hameron shouldn’t we : )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM5fPBryRQI