STANDING WITH SANNA
Since when was it banned to let your hair down with a few drinks and a bit of a boogie at the weekend? Yet Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin somehow caused a storm by doing just that – in private – with opposition ministers claiming the ‘exuberant’ dancing she demonstrated must have been the result of recreational drugs.
What utter hogwash. I’ve seen more boisterous moves from my ageing auntie at a wedding. Have these people never been out clubbing? Marin was just having a nice time. There was nothing wild about it, so it was no surprise when the drug test she felt compelled to take to prove her innocence came back clean.
The bigger question is – why has everyone become so po-faced?
Yes, Marin’s got a serious political job and is young to be a national leader, but surely she’s allowed to blow off a bit of steam? As supporters across Europe posted their own dance videos in solidarity, one pointed out, ‘This world needs more leaders like Sanna Marin… and less angry old men.’ That pretty much sums it up for me – Mr Putin might be a bit less cross if he did more dancing at the weekend.
The fun police also showed up over here, at a Pride celebration in Lincoln. Real cops were videoed dancing the Macarena at the LGBTQ event, but their jollity was slated as ‘embarrassing’ and ‘a disgrace’.
Some Twitter users even suggested that the four officers should have been ‘out solving crimes’. So good on Lincolnshire Chief Constable Chris Haward, who shot them down by pointing out policing was about ‘engagement, understanding and being part of the community’, as well as enforcement. ‘I expect my officers to chat, laugh, join in, and even dance, where it is appropriate to do so and does not detract from their duties,’ he said.
Surely, as we teeter on the brink of this cost-of-living crisis, we need as much fun as we can get?