The Tory MP and Brexiteer, Esther McVey has been scolded on social media for an advert that she has released for the latest episode of her podcast, Blue Collar Conversations.
The episode, which focuses on people going on 'staycations' in the UK due to coronavirus is obviously a prevalent topic as more and more people will be staying in Britain this summer and avoiding trips abroad.
However, the way in which McVey has chosen to promote the podcast has caused both anger and embarrassment as it involves McVey talking about serious subjects like Covid-19, while she pretends to drive a car in front of green screen back drop.
Staycations .... UKations ... this is the year to find your inner explorer and discover the U.K. 🎧… https://t.co/9rTmNIrp2A— Esther McVey (@Esther McVey) 1596200788
Few would begrudge McVey from promoting her podcast but the mixed messaging of the advert and the arm movements that she is making while pretending to drive the car are unnatural to say the least.
@EstherMcVey1 Hello organ donor clinic? I'd like to report that my eyes are no longer suitable for donation.— James Felton (@James Felton) 1596204900
@EstherMcVey1 CBeebies would consider this too dumbed down.— Duncan Stott 🏗️🏘️ (@Duncan Stott 🏗️🏘️) 1596206880
Is there a helpline available for people who have watched this https://t.co/RSTrAZ5NWS— Owen Jones 🌹 (@Owen Jones 🌹) 1596216530
Every time you think these people have reached the very bottom of the barrel... Every. Single. Time. https://t.co/vww08WrlDf— James Oh Brien (@James Oh Brien) 1596213321
-46,000 dead -highest excess death rate in Europe -infection rates rising -highest debt in history -heading for no-… https://t.co/6BY4QKf8ZL— Parody Boris Johnson (@Parody Boris Johnson) 1596211836
This is quite possibly the worst thing I've ever seen. And I've seen the Star Wars Holiday Special. https://t.co/RHuAkFETTW— Graham Lithgow (@Graham Lithgow) 1596204423
@EstherMcVey1 https://t.co/DagPZwte30— Declan Cashin (@Declan Cashin) 1596233319
@EstherMcVey1 This is a parody account, right?— Fr Ian Maher SCP🏴🇪🇺💙🐝#RejoinEU (@Fr Ian Maher SCP🏴🇪🇺💙🐝#RejoinEU) 1596218365
While members of the British public are now allowed to travel to other destinations in the country and stay overnight in places like hotels and B & Bs, there are still health and safety restrictions in place, such as social distancing and wearing face coverings, in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
At the time of writing parts of the UK have been forced back into lockdown as cases of coronavirus began to rise again. Earlier this week, Boris Johnson warned that a second wave of the virus was sweeping across Europe and was at risk of returning to the UK, whereas experts have accused the government of not doing enough to contain the disease.
Indy100 has contacted Esther McVey for comment.