Parliament is “hardly welcoming ” and “can be a very intimidating place” for visitors, seems to be the spurious rationale for Professor Jonathan Drori’s criticism of the Portcullis emblem, that has represented the seat of Government for centuries. No matter that Pugin had it carved in stone as doorway corbels to support the sense of gravity.
But quite what role Prof Drori sees for pleasure at the core of governance is baffling. No doubt had the Professor been pressed further, that ubiquitous, sticking plaster word ‘brand’, would have passed his lips, possibly influenced by too much scrutinising of the Conservatives wishy-washy ‘oak tree’ symbol, or Labours’ chocolate box rose offering, all bloom and no thorns.
What Prof Drori has fallen foul of is believing that the experience of visiting Parliament should be a comfortable one. Not every destination should be dressed up as smiley and cuddly, and in this instance the sobriety of history and resolution should be the overriding sense.
Perhaps Professor Drori, the self-styled ‘specialist in digital and outreach strategy for large public organisations in science and culture’ or should I say ‘chairman of the Speaker’s Advisory Council on Public Engagement’ should consider a more consumer friendly tweak to his own branding, before sticking his cosy views into history.
