Slideshow

Corbyn branded ‘craft beer of the Labour movement’

25 September 2015 By Darren Smith

When Labour MP Liam Byrne reached for the metaphors to describe his party leader Jeremy Corbyn, little could he have known the social media thrill it would cause.

Describing Corbyn as “the craft beer of the Labour movement” a politician who was “authentic” with “strong flavours” in a Radio 4 Today programme interview, the former immigration secretary spawned a monster, with a slew of tweets appearing on Buzz Feed and beyond which paired politicians with their boozy equivalents.

This is by no means the first time that politicians have been linked with beer. Anyone remember the mocking “Mililight” beer that was served at last year’s Tory party conference?

Here’s Byrne exercising his poetic licence in full:

“One of the things people said to us is ‘We don’t know what you stand for. What I think Jeremy has done is he’s brought a bit of soul force back to the Labour party.

“He’s the kind of craft ale of the Labour movement: he’s authentic, he’s got strong flavours, he’s seen as something very different to the bland mediocrity of politics.”

And in the pages that follow, our pick of the Twitter riffs…

(What gems did we miss? Let us know in the comments section below)

Chuka Umunna

@simonk133 was straight in there with Chuka Umunna and Peroni, presumably because he’s a suave, metropolitan sort of guy-about-town.

@jimwaterson Chuka Umunna – Peroni

— Simon (@simonk133) September 24, 2015

Andy Burnham

@Thomas Williams plumped for one of Corbyn’s rivals for the Labour leadership, Andy Burnham, and Boddingtons bitter and their shared northern pride.

@jimwaterson Andy Burnham, Boddingtons: made in the north and bloody well wants you to know it.

— Thomas Williams (@thomaswilliams) September 24, 2015

Grant Shapps

@tj_arnold noticed a striking similarity between international development secretary Grant Shapps and Carling lager…

@jimwaterson Grant Shapps – Carling. Ubiquitous a few years back, now you hardly see it. Suspiciously bubbly.

— Tom Arnold (@tj_arnold) September 24, 2015

Dennis Skinner

@ProfTimBale’s effort was of the ‘Does exactly what it says on the tin’ variety, pointing to what he saw as an irresistible connection between Labour veteran Dennis Skinner and Theakston’s Old Peculier.

@jimwaterson Dennis Skinner: Theakston’s Old Peculier

— Tim Bale (@ProfTimBale) September 24, 2015

Eric Pickles

S imples.

@jimwaterson Eric Pickles – Stout

— Joe ☃ (@joeshawty) September 24, 2015

David Cameron

Of course no comparison of politicians to alcoholic drinks would be complete without a suggestion for the PM. @tash_richardson thought Mr Cameron was a “cheap prosecco kind of guy”, while @sibirio took a swinish view…

‘The PM is more of a cheap prosecco kind of guy. Slips down easily but totally forgettable’ #thatswhatthepigsaid http://t.co/z2C46rh6CQ — Natasha Richardson (@tash_richardson) September 24, 2015