The British Government’s new campaign to clear streets of litter has sparked outrage among its citizens.
The campaign, called Clean for the Queen, aims to tidy Britain of litter in time for Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday celebrations in June.
Similar to Clean Up Australia, Clean for the Queen calls upon individuals and communities to clean up their local areas by picking up loose rubbish and litter in local parks, streets, and walkways.
Clean for the Queen will be held the weekend of March 4, 5, and 6.
According to Keep Britain Tidy, one of the partner behind the campaign (the other is Country Life magazine), more than 27 million tonnes of litter is dumped on UK streets each year.
Campaign logo - a coat of arms stylised with a dustbin. (cleanforthequeen.co.uk) Source: http://www.cleanforthequeen.co.uk/home/2365
For most Brits, the objection with this campaign lies with the elitism it imposes, and the fact the motivation behind this project is not patriotism but an allegiance to an archaic institution.
“When she came to the throne litter was not the problem that it is today. Food packaging, plastic bottles, takeaway meals and cigarette butts have all contributed to a growing menace that affects our wildlife, streets, countryside and sense of pride,” reads the About section of the website.
“What better way could we show our gratitude to Her Majesty than to clean up our country?” the site reads.
This campaign is not about cleaning up UK for the sake of the British people, it’s about cleaning it up for the monarch.
Naturally, Twitter got snarky with their response to the campaign, using the hashtag #CleanForTheQueen.
One user captured the elitism behind the project.
Another offered an alternate solution.
Some used their account to act out virtual defiance.
Many claimed Britain faced more pressing issues than a littered city at this time.
Others were convinced the entire campaign was a big joke.
The campaign followed UK Communities Minister Marcus Jones’s recent doubling of littering fines to £150 (around $300 AUD).
The campaign is also running competitions in the lead up to the weekend, including a school contest where students can design official Clean for the Queen promotional posters.
