The great Bananagate slip-up (From Daily Echo)

The great Bananagate slip-up

12:45pm Tuesday 3rd July 2012 in Editor Ian Murray's Blog

As political crimes go it was up there on a par with the great Westminster Salad Scandal.

OK, I made that one up, but then again who would have thought in these times of austerity, valuable public funds would be used to investigate the strange case here in Hampshire of ‘BananaGate’?

Oh, it’s a slippery slope.

Like you I was shocked to realise that Fareham Borough Council leader Sean Woodward was being investigated by the authority’s monitoring officer after a complaint he had failed to show due respect to local residents during a debate. It was serious stuff. Public funds were spent in considering if he had breached the code of conduct.

His crime? He was spotted eating a banana during discussions into who should run Portchester Community Centre.

There was worse. Councillor Woodward had, it was claimed, not only nibbled on the fruit in full view of the assembled chamber, but actually peeled the thing to get at the flesh before taking a bite.

How provocative is that!

In a rare moment of clear sanity, the council’s monitoring officer cleared the leader of any wrong-doing.

But I have to admit Councillor Woodward did show an amazing lack of political savvy, not for snacking during the meeting – after all, we all get the munchies – but for his choice of fruit.

A banana for heaven’s sake! Former Foreign Secretary David Miliband was almost a shoe-in to become Labour leader until those pictures of him using a large banana as a yellow moustache ripped the heart out of his campaign. Who could take him seriously after that? A Kiwi Fruit maybe, but never a banana if you are a politician.

And so, for the many local politicians who I know follow slavishly this column, let me provide just a short guide to fruit and political life – or what your choice of healthy snack says about you to the voters.

• Apple: healthy teeth, patriotic – just make sure it’s not a Golden Delicious (they’re French) or, if female, a Granny Smith.

• Orange: you support Holland at football.

• Satsumas: your children also support Holland.

• Blackberry: understands modern communications.

• Pineapple: brave to the point of foolhardy, with no sense of proportion.

• Passion Fruit: stay well clear unless truly ugly.

• Fruit cocktail: can’t make a decision.

• Grapes: you think you an emperor – and where do you spit the pips?

• Pear: steady there!

• Peach: see pear.

• Plums: see both of the above.

• Banana: denotes healthy lifestyle, but impossible to peel, eat or wear without appearing a plonker.

• Raspberry: No need to explain.

Happy snacking.