Nice to see standards upheld when all about us is turning casual
As the Church of England wonders whether to dispense with the mitre, and votes to allow vicars to conduct services in jeans and trainers, it’s good to know that there is one corner of this oppressively casual nation where standards will be maintained. I refer to that whimsical Hundred Acre Wood that is Moggland.
In recent weeks, Jacob Rees-mogg has gone from being a figure of fun to a cult; he is even spoken of as a future Tory leader. And why not? If Labour can prosper under an unrepentant Marxist, why shouldn’t the Tories be led by a man who came out of the womb in a fourpiece suit?
On Question Time last week, Reesmogg elegantly wiped the floor with Remainers. When Sir Craig Oliver said it was “simply not true” that Britain couldn’t leave the EU while keeping some benefits, the Mogg accused him of “terminological inexactitude”. Be still my beating heart! A gent who can use a six-syllable word then a fivesyllable one without breaking a sweat.
“This is the real world not Downton Abbey,” grumbled one sour socialist on Twitter. But we hate the real world. It’s ghastly. Since Theresa May took over, a year ago tomorrow, it feels like it’s been one calamity after another. How much nicer to be with Rees-mogg, talking well-modulated good sense in 1890.
The QT appearance came only days after Rees-mogg became a father for the sixth time. He and his wife, Helena de Chair, celebrated the birth of Sixtus Dominic Boniface Christoper. Bar Six for short. As you can see, each little Mogg has a simply splendid set of monikers, except the daughter. They seem to have run out of steam when they got to Mary Anne Charlotte Emma, and just gave her the grannies’ names.
If you look upon Pius, Wulfric and Alphege and think, “Hmm, perhaps I rather underburdened my own kids in the appellation department,” then you can discover your own Reesmogg name by following this simple formula. Combine your favourite saint plus both your parents’ middle names, your favourite French word and your favourite cheese Mine is: Joan Hallam Ilonwy Mignon-reblochon. What’s yours?