Rich language from MPs on both sides

ENGLAND is without any form of censorship of words – per se. We can use words which might offend or cause a breach of the peace. The book Lady Chatterley’s Lover was withheld from publication for years because of the “F” word. Radio and TV has a code – words their employees cannot use. The then leader of the Lib Dem’s could use the expression “B******* to Brexit” but the interviewer could not. Parliament has its own language and members can be obliged to withdraw comments made that are ruled by the Speaker as unparliamentary.

The Prime Minister David Cameron called Ed Balls, the Labour Shadow Chancellor, a “muttering idiot” during a session of Parliament. The then Speaker of the House forced him to withdraw the remark as unparliamentary. Next day it was fully published in national newspapers.

Lets consider then the two words “scum” and “idiot”.

Scum – from The Concise Oxford Dictionary – is a frothy detritus mess floating on the surface of water.

More recently the word has been applied to a human condition with implications of being one or more of this shortlist of thoroughly unlikable attributes: of dirty and bad character, immoral leanings, untruthful, untrustworthy, a cheat and liar, someone you would not buy a second-hand car from. I don’t know of anyone who has bought a secondhand car from Mr Johnson so cannot prove the allegation. Readers will note, no mention of a “scum” being permanently incapable of rational conduct – so the person was aware of his or her own behaviour.

Idiot – from the Concise Oxford Dictionary – is a stupid person, an utter fool; a person deficient in mind and permanently incapable of a rational conduct.

My reading would be that the Prime Minister Cameron’s opinion was that the person, Mr Balls, should have been certified.

If I were to criticise Angela Rayner for the use of the word ‘scum’ to describe this Prime Minister it would be for reasons of its inadequacy.

M Don Frampton

Newton Abbot