Posted on Aug 27, 2014

"Patronising Better Together Lady" Is The New Meme For Scottish Nationalists

A TV broadcast playing on women's fears of an independent Scotland has been hijacked.

Jim Waterson

by Jim Waterson

BuzzFeed News Reporter, UK

This is the new TV advert from Better Together, the campaign to keep Scotland in the UK at the forthcoming referendum.

The advert, first shown on Tuesday night, features a mother talking to the camera about her concerns for an independent Scotland: the security of Scotland's oil supply, funding for education, the way "there's only so many hours in the day and there's so much to weigh up". She's also concerned about the way her off-screen husband, "Paul", keeps going on about the independence campaign while she struggles to keep up with the debate. — The advert, first shown on Tuesday night, features a mother talking to the camera about her concerns for an independent Scotland: the security of Scotland's oil supply, funding for education, the way "there's only so many hours in the day and there's so much to weigh up".
She's also concerned about the way her off-screen husband, "Paul", keeps going on about the independence campaign while she struggles to keep up with the debate.

The advert, first shown on Tuesday night, features a mother talking to the camera about her concerns for an independent Scotland: the security of Scotland's oil supply, funding for education, the way "there's only so many hours in the day and there's so much to weigh up".
She's also concerned about the way her off-screen husband, "Paul", keeps going on about the independence campaign while she struggles to keep up with the debate.

But some supporters of Scottish independence have decided the advert doesn't give much credit to women, branding the advert's star "Patronising Better Together Lady".

Some people felt the advert was a bit sexist, since the woman is mainly concerned about household tasks while her husband talks politics.

Natalie Clark@natspacino Follow
Maybe I won't even bother voting. It's too much hassle. I'll let the men decide whilst I bake cookies in the kitchen! #PatronisingBTLady
11:42 PM - 26 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

Iain@Cuphook108 Follow
#PatronisingBTLady Considers the #indyref issues of the day.
8:22 PM - 26 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

Carol Fox@feministfox Follow
#PatronisingBTLady Leave the kitchen and shape your future.The dour sexist NO camp want to transport us back to fifties.Over my dead body!
7:47 PM - 26 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

Other people were baffled by her difficulty to find the time to weigh up the options.

Just Charlene@Just_Charlene Follow
#PatronisingBTLady has stuff to do #indyref
7:41 PM - 26 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

Luisaidh Davidson@belledejournal Follow
Hope I find a husband in time for the #indyref. How will my girl-brain know how to vote otherwise? #PatronisingBTLady #womenproblems
11:20 AM - 27 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

Greg indyref@YesIndyref Follow
Perfect summary of the new @UK_Together campaign video. Targeted at woman - but so patronising? #PatronisingBTLady
8:27 PM - 26 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

KJ@KingdomJock Follow
Not thinking much of the latest BT campaign poster!? #IndyRef #PatronisingBTLady
10:41 PM - 26 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

Others were a bit baffled by her apparent lack of understanding of the key independence issues.

Declan B@YesWithDex Follow
Comedy gold from @UK_Together 's #patronisingBTlady !
6:47 PM - 26 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

Stronger Untied @StrongerUntied Follow
Belters together #indyref #patronisingBTlady
10:04 PM - 26 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

Tom Johnstone@TomJohnstone93 Follow
#patronisingbtlady
7:19 PM - 26 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

Others were very concerned about the welfare of the woman's husband.

Vine — vine.co

And then there was the matter of her facial expression.

Laurie Kitson@ljkitson92 Follow
#PatronisingBTLady We're Better Together... forever and ever
7:07 PM - 26 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

A couple of people thought she might have better things to do when the vote is held on 18 September.

Euan Bryson@EuanPaulBryson Follow
This is my favourite #PatronisingBTLady
8:16 AM - 27 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

BWatt@BethWatt2014 Follow
Only 3 Plan B's...best vote No. #patronisingbtlady
7:21 PM - 26 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

Others were a bit concerned for the actress involved in the broadcast.

Dorian Grey@directgovmustdi Follow
What have I done? #PatronisingBTLady
10:25 PM - 26 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

At points it went a bit surreal.

Sin Vega@sinisteragent Follow
Hey Paul! Paul! Remember that song? #patronisingbtlady
11:21 AM - 27 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

But even the most ardent pro-independence supporters would admit there are some unknown issues in this campaign.

James Lees@jamesvsburger Follow
Last one. This is too funny. @_Pandy storyboards #PatronisingBTLady ad. @robertflorence
9:59 PM - 26 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

Kris@neurosceptic Follow
4th #PatronisingBTLady contribution
3:19 AM - 27 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

While others were just concerned that something was in her cup of tea.

my indy scotland@myindyscotland Follow
#PatronisingBTLady
10:54 PM - 26 Aug 14 Reply Retweet Favorite

Three weeks to go until the vote.

Jim Waterson is a politics editor for BuzzFeed News and is based in London.

Contact Jim Waterson at jim.waterson@buzzfeed.com.

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