Peppa Pig condemned to life of heteronormativity as Norman Lamb loses leadership election
It looks like Peppa Pig could be condemned to a life of heteronormativity – after Norman Lamb failed to be elected Lib Dem leader.
Mr Lamb, the former Health Minister, had been one of two candidates running to succeed Nick Clegg as leader of the Liberal Democrats, following the party’s electoral wipeout.
Writing for PinkNews during the election campaign, Mr Lamb said that the lack of LGBT characters on children’s TV was down to bigotry, adding: “Our broadcasters must realise that sexuality is not, fundamentally, about who you want to have sex with – but who you are, and who you love.”
When asked in a PinkNews interview whether this means he’d like to see gay characters in shows like Peppa Pig, he said: “If you impose arbitrary limits, you’re saying that actually at heart, it’s not equatable. It should absolutely not be out of bounds, which it appears to be at the moment.”
The comments were widely reported across the media – but Mr Lamb lost out to his leadership rival Tim Farron in the contest today.
In a ballot of party members, Mr Farron recieved 56.5% of the votes, with Mr Lamb backed by 43.5% of people.
Ever the good sport, Mr Lamb has already publicly congratulated his opponent.
He tweeted: “Congratulations to Tim Farron – will make fantastic Lib Dem leader championing social justice and leading the #LibDemFightback.”
Mr Farron had promised to champion LGBT rights in an interview with PinkNews, however – so Peppa Pig could still land some gay uncles yet.