The Express and Virgin Active

Tom_UK · **Joined:** Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:14 pm **Posts:** 3168

I am going to write a letter to the MD of Virgin Active requesting that they stop stocking the Daily Express among the newspapers that they put out on a daily basis for members to read.

If anyone has any image files with recent racist/homophobic headlines and/or specific examples of Express headlines having been picked up on by the BNP, I would be grateful if you could share them with me.

Cheers

Tom

Fflaps · **Posted:** Tue Jul 20, 2010 1:21 pm

There are a few recent ones in the Express Headlines thread in this section - notably the one about gay asylum seekers from a week or two ago.

Tom_UK · **Joined:** Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:14 pm **Posts:** 3168

I'm going to include the ones from The Enemies of Reason post here:

http://enemiesofreason.co.uk/2010/07/14 ... g-to-stop/

Virgin Active doesn't stock The Star, they buy in everything from The Sun upwards.

Tom_UK · **Joined:** Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:14 pm **Posts:** 3168

I've put eight examples down:

One In 5 Britons Will Be Ethnics (sic)
Now Asylum If You're Gay
Muslims' Force Pool Cover-Up
Migrants Take ALL New Jobs in Britain
Keep Out, Britain Is Full Up
Muslim Schools' Ban our Culture
Strangers In Our Own Country
White Men To Face Jobs Ban

Could do with examples of any of these being directly seized upon by the BNP

Lord Brett · **Posted:** Tue Jul 20, 2010 3:00 pm

This is useful stuff for my campaign to stop Leeds Libraries keeping The Express. I'm currently gathering front pages and other stories which are racist in nature.

Fflaps · **Posted:** Tue Jul 20, 2010 3:21 pm

Tom_MKUK wrote:

I've put eight examples down:

One In 5 Britons Will Be Ethnics (sic)
Now Asylum If You're Gay
Muslims' Force Pool Cover-Up
Migrants Take ALL New Jobs in Britain
Keep Out, Britain Is Full Up
Muslim Schools' Ban our Culture
Strangers In Our Own Country
White Men To Face Jobs Ban

Could do with examples of any of these being directly seized upon by the BNP

Maybe do a search for Daily Express + BNP? So you don't have to spend too long on either of their odious sites

See also the 3rd paragraph here

http://www.fivechinesecrackers.com/2010 ... -some.html

Tom_UK · **Joined:** Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:14 pm **Posts:** 3168

First draft (with thanks to Angry Mob and 5cc):

Quote:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am a writing to you as a long-term member of Virgin Active Health Clubs regarding the stocking of daily newspapers for members to read at the clubs, with particular regard to The Daily Express.

The Daily Express newspaper has a history of pushing a thinly veiled racist agenda, and in recent months I feel that this has worsened with a spate of headlines (both racist and homophobic) making ludicrous claims which many people could consider to be prejudiced and offensive. As a member of the Milton Keynes club, the impression that I get from seeing the diversity of the members on the gym floor is that Virgin Active is an inclusive brand which seems to appeal to all sections of society regardless of sex, age, race, religion, or sexuality. I feel that the presence of the Daily Express newspaper in your gyms is at odds with these values.

Overleaf I have attached eight examples of recent Daily Express headlines for your perusal.

I want you to be aware of the kind of views that this product is associated with. This newspaper unfortunately seems to be determined to pander to racists with its coverage. This isn't just a question of one or two articles, balanced as part of a lively debate; this is a pattern of offensive and unpleasant articles.

The front page stating that “ONE IN FIVE BRITONS WILL BE ETHNICS” is clearly offensive and misleading. We are all 'ethnics'. We all have a mixed heritage and to imply otherwise is to create an artificial distinction between white Britons and those from other backgrounds. Meanwhile “KEEP OUT, BRITAIN IS FULL UP” is a direct reproduction of a BNP slogan.

I respectfully request that you stop stocking the Express in your clubs, and that when choosing newspapers in which to advertise the Virgin Active brand, that you consider the values and views that you wish the Virgin Active brand to be associated with, or dissociated from. I would be pleased to see your business take the lead in this matter and show itself to be a proactive and ethical brand.

Yours faithfully,

bluebellnutter · **Posted:** Tue Jul 20, 2010 4:21 pm

If you want some more... http://enemiesofreason.blogspot.com/200 ... -this.html

LuciusAR · **Joined:** Wed Feb 18, 2009 5:09 am **Posts:** 766

Fitness First give away a copy of Daily Mail as well. Well at least they did about 18 months ago but then I left to join a smaller (and far friendly) gym for £10 a month less. No idea if they still do or not.

ManicMiner · **Posted:** Thu Jul 29, 2010 11:35 am

No, they stopped about 6-12 months ago saying they were having trouble with their supplier

Tom_UK · **Joined:** Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:14 pm **Posts:** 3168

I'm thinking of sending a similar version of this letter to Lidl, as they have some kind of love-in going with the Star and Express. My local Lidl has a little display in the entrance with copies of The Star, The Express, and the same group's gossip mag (no other papers).

Tubby Isaacs · **Posted:** Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:13 pm

Good work, Tom.

mojojojo · **Joined:** Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:33 pm **Posts:** 4433

Tubby Isaacs wrote:

Good work, Tom.

I agree. Great letter.

Son Of Hand · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 2:53 am

Little Chef offer the Star and Express too. I'm sure they'd appreciate a letter of complaint that, just for once, isn't about the quality of their food

The Express and Virgin Active

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