WESTMINSTER politicians are often accused of being out of touch – especially with Scotland.
Indeed, the Prime Minister has vowed to ignore the Scottish Parliament if it withholds consent for the Withdrawal Agreement Bill.
And both Tory and Labour Westminster leaders have pledged to block a second independence referendum – at least temporarily – despite a material change in Scotland’s circumstances courtesy of Brexit and growing support for independence.
Jeremy Corbyn’s supporters, however, like to think of the Labour leader as a different breed of politician.
He is a man of the people, attentive to their concerns and struggles.
Not attentive enough, however, to realise that there is no train link to “obscure places” like Orkney.
That revelation comes from Scottish Labour Party activist Karie Murphy, Corbyn’s former chief of staff.
According to Sunday Times journalist Gabriel Pogrund, she told a town hall meeting of Labour staff: “Anyone who knows Jeremy knows he loves to go on the train to obscure places like the South West or Orkney."
Karie Murphy adds: "Anyone who knows Jeremy knows he loves to go on the train to obscure places like the South West or Orkney"
— Gabriel Pogrund (@Gabriel_Pogrund) October 24, 2019
Despite her apparent lack of geographical knowledge, Murphy inadvertently put Orkney on the map, with the islands soon trending on Twitter.
Here are a few of the best responses on Twitter.
1.
The SNP's Kirsty Blackman (@KirstySNP) responds:
— Dan Vevers (@DanVevers) October 24, 2019
'Before boarding his next train at Platform 9 3/4, Jeremy Corbyn must apologise for the dismissive and frankly insulting remarks from his senior advisors.'
2.
More help for @jeremycorbyn and @karie_murphy https://t.co/SM0FHiZWl7
— Alistair Carmichael (@amcarmichaelMP) October 24, 2019
3.
At least, @jeremycorbyn can get a ticket from his local metropolitan station. pic.twitter.com/3MXsMXjZx4
— Iain2019 (@iain2019) October 24, 2019
4.
People seem to be fixating on the train to Orkney, but I don't think enough attention is on the "obscure places" jab. That sort of language will alienate a lot of people.
— John MacMillan (@_jmac_) October 24, 2019
Declares interest: I'm from what some people might call an "obscure place". https://t.co/rS8wrQnexo
5.
Thurso is the closest train station to Kirkwall, Orkney, and it's 34 miles away. To get from one to the other you need to go the 2.5 miles to Scrabster by road, a ferry to Stromness (2h15mins) and then another 15 miles by road to Kirkwall. Had he been there he'd know this. https://t.co/z4JTC1NblO
— Derek Young (@MrDegsy) October 24, 2019
6.
Why did nobody tell me about the secret railway tunnel to Orkney? I needn't have bothered with ferries over the rough Pentland Firth. https://t.co/mbr3BlJYtD
— Lynn Powell (@LynnPow12108355) October 24, 2019
7.
So wrong the rail tunnel to #Orkney doesn't get the publicity that @Eurotunnel does. More media, southern bias! Good of #Corbyn and Karie to put this right. Looking forward to a trip through it next summer on my hols. https://t.co/b00kRVeu3Y
— Ben Fuller (@politicsastar) October 24, 2019
8.
The train service to Orkney is frankly a disgrace
— Chris ward (@rampitchfork) October 24, 2019
9. This former Labour MP wans't impressed either
Since when did places like the south west and Orkney become “obscure” anyway?
— Dame Anne McGuire (@AnneMcGuire97) October 24, 2019
10.
Did he bring his inflatable arm rings for the train to Orkney?
— Philip Murray (@SPP_PMurray) October 24, 2019
11.
The line from Scrabster to Stromness has been closed by flooding for about two million years. There’s a boat replacement service.
— John Fotheringham (@JohnFothering11) October 24, 2019
12. And it wasn't just Scots who were miffed...
As a resident of "the South West" I'm delighted and thrilled to learn that I & my fellow five million SW citizens live in an obscure place.
— Robin in Bristol (@robinkellett) October 24, 2019
Eh @ThangamMP?
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