A Muslim Tory MP has said that “the idea that you can’t mention Christmas is ridiculous” after the word was banned from a promotional Covid vaccine campaign run by the U.K. government for not being “inclusive enough”.
The ban on the word ‘Christmas’ was detailed in emails leaked to the Mail on Sunday as England imposed fresh restrictions and Boris Johnson’s government scrambled to respond to the new Omicron variant.
Civil servants have been banned from using the Christian word in their ads as it may offend minority religions, it was revealed. The email leak came as ministers tried to launch a new publicity campaign encouraging students to get tested before heading home for the holidays.
The slogan “Don’t take Covid home for Christmas” was vetoed by Cabinet Office officials because of the “exclusive” word, the Mail on Sunday reports.
The decision triggered a dispute over ‘wokeism’ in the Civil Service – which has been mockingly nicknamed ‘The Blob’ by critics.
One Muslim MP blasted the Christmas word ban as “ridiculous” as ministers attempt to get people on-side with the latest Covid restrictions in the U.K., which includes the reintroduction of face masks.
Reports detail the government’s plan to use social media influencers on platforms like TikTok to get students vaccinated before the festivities. However, an email seen at the end of last month showed that civil servants were told to ditch the word “Christmas” in favour of the secular term “festive season” to plug the jab rollout.
The email read: “We have been advised by Cabinet Office that we should not use the word Christmas – as the Government campaign needs to be inclusive and some religions don’t celebrate Christmas…
“The other option was “festive season” which keeps the emotional motivation. We have done with “Don’t take Covid-19 home for the holidays” – as it links to school and university Christmas holidays.
“The alliteration with “home” and “holidays” scans well and is memorable.”
But another official then pointed out that “holidays” is an Americanism – and asked for the slogan to be changed “Don’t take Covid-19 home.”
Saqib Bhatti, the Conservative MP for Meriden, said that the abandonment of the word ‘Christmas’ in pursuit of greater ‘inclusivity’ was “ridiculous”. He said he himself would be celebrating Christmas with his family, and was looking forward to putting up his Christmas tree with his young son.
Mr Bhatti said: “As a Muslim, I find it ridiculous we can’t enjoy this special time of year.
“I look forward to showing my new son his first Christmas tree. The idea you can’t mention Christmas is completely ridiculous.
“It’s a time to celebrate, whatever your background. It’s part of the British culture I love. It’s the celebration of all cultures that makes this the most welcoming country in the world.
“I’m proud of that and proud to celebrate Christmas. The Blob needs to stop waging war on Christmas and get on with delivering for the British people,” he said.
In England, mask wearing has been reintroduced as compulsory in shops and buses, taxis and trains. Overseas travel and self-isolation rules have been tightened after the first initial cases of the new Omicron variant were detected in Britain.
However, Boris Johnson has stopped short of imposing a shutdown of pubs and restaurants in the lead-up to Christmas to the relief of many.
Mr Johnson insisted he did not want to see nightclubs shut or nativity plays being cancelled. His approach has contrasted with Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s, who announced strict new limits on the Irish hospitality sector and home gatherings.
From 7 December until 9 January, nightclubs will close their doors, while restaurants and bars will only be allowed to run table service — with a maximum of six people allowed per table.
Indoor events such as concerts must operate at half capacity, while people should only have visitors from a maximum of three other households in their home over the busy Christmas period.