Labour’s Angela Rayner pays tribute to It’s a Sin during Prime Minister’s Questions
Angela Rayner (R) paid tribute to the Channel 4 show, It’s a Sin. (Channel 4/BBC)
Angela Rayner was praised for highlighting a HIV fundraising campaign in parliament by wearing a charity t-shirt inspired by the hit series It’s a Sin.
The Labour deputy leader wore a t-shirt with the word “La!” in black lettering during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday afternoon (3 March).
Designed by Philip Normal – an artist, retailer and mayor of the London borough of Lambeth – and inspired by Russell T Davies’ acclaimed drama, the t-shirt raises money for one of the country’s leading HIV and sexual health charities, the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT).
Normal has so far raised more than £250,000 for the THT with his “La!” t-shirt. Both he and the charity were quick to thank Rayner for supporting the campaign.
Thank you @AngelaRayner for supporting, La! @MetroUK https://t.co/iC2P22aaj6
— Philip Normal (@philipnormal) March 4, 2021
We spy a @philipnormal "La" t-shirt in Parliament. 👀
Thank you @AngelaRayner for proudly wearing this brilliant design in the Commons. Sales from the t-shirts have raised £250,000 to support people affected by HIV.
Join the gang and order yours. 👇https://t.co/7llfbuhfij pic.twitter.com/cUwd7LzoJd— Terrence Higgins Trust (@THTorguk) March 3, 2021
Rayner later responded to the outpouring of love from It’s a Sin fans as she retweeted one THT staffer’s praise, adding “La ❤️” and plugging a link to purchase the t-shirt.
La ❤️ https://t.co/EIUaJPpCPC https://t.co/jSodtYbOgq— Angela Rayner 🌹 (@AngelaRayner) March 3, 2021
It’s a Sin gripped viewers with its powerful and moving portrayal of the AIDS crisis of the 1980s.
The Channel 4 programme has been streamed almost 19 million times on All4, making it the most binge-watched show streamed on the platform.
It has also been commended for inspiring a huge surge in HIV testing.
Capping off National HIV Testing Week in February, THT confirmed that it had seen more HIV tests ordered than ever before in the wake of the show airing.
A hallmark of the show’s popularity has been the widespread adoption of its “La!” catchphrase.
Philip Normal called it a “wonderful use of the English language” that “really resonated” with him.
“For me, this simple use of language underpins the vulnerability of all the characters and solidifies their friendship, it’s incredibly powerful,” he told PinkNews.
“Everyone has their cliques and friends, we all look after each other. [‘La’] encapsulated that love and mutual support.”
