Temperate language for stoolpigeons

It’s not just us hacks that are under constant scrutiny for our use of language. Gordon Brown got himself into hot water yesterday as he accused David Cameron of “misleading people”. Outrageous… politicians misleading people… that’s just not on Dave. Of course Mr Brown wouldn’t dream of misleading people himself.

What followed was Tory MPs accusing Brown of using “unparliamentary language”. It seems a list has been compiled of words and phrases that are unsuitable in the Commons, and the ever-ready Tories pounced on the chance for a good old-fashioned lower house squabble. The Guardian helpfully picked out a few (p.13). Now I can understand “liar” and “traitor”, but I did chuckle at “guttersnipe” and “stoolpigeon”. It sometimes amazes me how “down-with-the-kids” these guys are!

You’ll be pleased to know, however, that Brown got away with his slur on his opposite number. No, not because they realised that such pettiness would make them look (even more) like a load of out-of-touch crones. But because Gords didn’t accuse Dave of misleading his fellow MPs, just misleading the general public. OH, that’s all-right then! Panic over. At least we know where we stand. Big Brown Bear did get a jolly good finger-wagging though, and was told to use more “temperate language”. That’ll teach ‘im.

You might be thinking what this has got to do with newspapers, but I think we can learn a few things from it. There will always be people, whether it’s “Concerned from Tunbridge Wells”, or your news editor, who’ll cross-examine the tiniest details in your work, so don’t give them a reason to hang you out to dry.

Also interesting is the way different newspapers handled the episode. I’ll just choose two papers’ coverage. The Guardian went with a fairly straight piece, with the odd smattering of humour, particularly in the furniture. The Sun started off saying: “There were shameful scenes in the House of Commons yesterday as Prime Minister’s Questions degenerated into a farce with MPs catcalling and jeering”. But then just ran some bloke’s commentary on PM’s questions. Bizarre I thought, but a good cartoon. Perhaps both could have done a bit more with it, possibly drawing aspects of the other’s style into their own, especially as today was one of the driest news days in weeks.

So fix up you guttersnipes!