Of Plinths and Political Correctness.

Trafalgar Square

It is regrettably becoming unacceptable to criticise political correctness in Britain, no matter how absurd an issue may be.

.

This week's unveiling of the statue, Alison Lapper Pregnant (sponsored by London's neo-Marxist Mayor, Ken Livingstone) has been greeted with mixed reactions but objectors seem too scared to say anything in criticism, for fear of being thought of as unsympathetic towards disabled people.

.

What utter nonsense! We agree with Simon Heffer (Saturday's Daily Mail ) who writes of the "unsuitability" of the latest statue in Trafalgar Square and describes it as "a self-indulgent essay in political correctness". We at verybritishsubjects agree wholeheartedly.

.

The location of this statue is a mistake on many levels, not least because statues are erected in tribute to the great and the deceased. Ms Lapper is, thankfully very much still with us, and although undoubtedly an accomplished artist, she is not (yet) in the category of great.

.

Naturally, we have no objections to a female subject for such an honour. Women are currently under-represented in the statues department in Central London, the two queens, Boadicea, warrior Queen of the Iceni and of course, Queen Victoria clearly need female company.

.

Perhaps the statue of Alison Lapper (or is it a sculpture?) would be better placed outside The Tate or maybe outside the Maternity Department of University Hospital, London. For the avoidance of any doubt, we do believe that this work is a courageous statement but ill-placed in it's present location.

.

Simon Heffer suggests that a statue of HM The Queen, in time for her 80th birthday would be ideal for the plinth in Trafalgar Square. Now this is where we part company with the the irrepressible, irascible and irreverent columnist.

.

As Her Majesty still reigns over us, and long may she do so - this blog site feels it a tad premature and an inappropriate suggestion for the previously empty plinth in Trafalgar Square.

.

Our vote would go to the much maligned late Thomas Crapper, a Birmingham small businessman who did much to improve the sanitary arrangements of the Western world with the mass production of the water closet in the 19 th century.

.

Without Mr Crappers contribution we would all clearly be in a very sorry mess, as indeed had Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson not done his duty for his country, and well thrashed the Frenchies, we and British history would be in lots of deep doody.

.

Thus, in keeping with the ambience of Central London and the tradition of celebrating British achievement by honouring deceased, worthy individuals, to stand alongside such luminaries as Churchill, Nelson, Field Marshalls Montgomery, Allenbrooke, Slim and of course, master mariner Sir Walter Raleigh, this blog nominates Thomas Crapper.

.

So we cry: ''Down with Lapper, up with Crapper!"

.

.

Alison Lapper, Pregnant

.

.

,

Thomas Crapper