When your car can get you into political trouble

AUTOMOBILES are supposed to get you from point A to point B. They can also get you into trouble, even if you aren’t driving or riding in one, because they possess potent social symbolism.

Emily Thornberry, a Labour member of the UK parliament, learnt this last week.

During a by-election in Rochester that was won by the anti-immigration United Kingdom Independence Party (Ukip), she tweeted a picture of a white cargo van in front of a home in the south-east town flying three English flags with the red Cross of St George, as opposed to the more-inclusive UK flag.

The tweet’s text said “image from Rochester”, but to some British eyes the picture said “xenophobic working class boor”.

The owner of the house and van called Thornberry a “snob.” Within hours she apologised and quit Labour’s opposition shadow cabinet.

The Twitter tempest perhaps could only have happened in Britain, with its legacy of class consciousness.

British vehicular stereotypes range from white delivery vans for the working class to Range Rovers – dubbed “Chelsea Tractors” for a Tory London neighbourhood – for elitist “toffs.”

Range Rovers, Ferraris, Porsches carry similar social symbolism everywhere.

But while rich people’s cars are alike, the stereotypical working guy’s wheels vary widely. – Reuters