Nazi doublethink is no laughing matter

I NEVER watched the TV series ’Allo ’Allo! because I don’t think Nazis are funny and the truth about their occupation of France is far from amusing. I am baffled by the strange habit of dressing up in Nazi uniforms, which at last seems to be going out of style. But I am fascinated by the treatment of the very minor Tory politician Colin Davis. He has been suspended as chairman of the Enfield Southgate Conservative Association. This is because a picture of Mr Davis, dressed up very unconvincingly in Nazi uniform 40 years ago, has turned up out of the blue.

Mr Davis says he was never a Nazi sympathiser and suggests it might have something to do with ‘wild parties’ he used to attend. Too bad. The mere suggestion has put paid to him.

In the same week, there have been pictures of Ukrainian soldiers, actually in the army of that country, wearing SS emblems, published in British media, without anyone caring a bit. I think this may be called doublethink.