A bizarre Twitter row broke out overnight between a former MP and veteran ITV broadcaster Alastair Stewart. On the night of two crucial by-elections in Stoke and Copeland, the pair managed to get in a dust-up over foxes and chickens.
Foxes and chickens
It was a mixed night for Labour. The party suffered defeat to the Conservatives in Copeland, which counts as a historic win for the government. And conversely, Labour trounced UKIP leader Paul Nuttall in Stoke-On-Trent.
Just before midnight, Alastair Stewart shared with Twitter that he’d lost nine of his 11 chickens to a fox attack.
https://twitter.com/alstewitn/status/834914382459064321
While words of support steamed in from all sources, former MP Chris Williamson decided to declare the event a teaching moment.
https://twitter.com/ChriswMP/status/834917587884654593
https://twitter.com/ChriswMP/status/834923952392781824
And it deteriorated from there.
Labour’s Anne McGuire attempted to intervene with some common sense, and immediately regretted it.
https://twitter.com/alstewitn/status/834931848740483072
https://twitter.com/ChriswMP/status/834929692180365317
https://twitter.com/ChriswMP/status/834938484674658304
Others join the fray
As tends to happen on Twitter, rubber-necking bypassers decided they wanted a piece of the action too. Everyone appeared a little ‘tired and emotional’ after a late night of by-election coverage.
https://twitter.com/kb32904/status/834950901727117312
Yeah, "to justify to horrendous cruelty" doesn't even make sense!! https://t.co/ckEHXJ388t
— TerrytheNewsGirl (@FairyofYorks) February 24, 2017
The spat was picked up by Guido Fawkes, which triggered another Twitter pile-on.
The argument drew in Twitter commentariat types like Dan Hodges and Owen Jones. And continued to pick up speed.
Jesus, Chris. Let it go.
— (((Dan Hodges))) (@DPJHodges) February 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/OwenJones84/status/834926478366289923
At time of writing, the ‘Foxes and Chickens’ row shows no signs of letting up, despite it having no bearing on anything. Which is a pretty apt metaphor for much of UK politics right now.
Get Involved!
Some good has to come of this. You can donate to support foxes here, and chickens here. We won’t judge you for picking a side.
Featured image via YouTube Screengrab/YouTube Screengrab
