Vicar of Dibley and Basil Fawlty go head-to-head over divisive referendum on EU membership
Freedom of movement laws in Europe have done wonders for the continent's nannies and a new generation of British middle-class families who employ them to look after our brats.
One might forgive the traditional English nanny for bearing a grudge against such low-cost competition, but new polling data reveals no evidence of any lingering resentment.
From a list of 30 famous and fictional characters, Mary Poppins is the third most likely to back Britain's continued membership of the European Union during next month’s referendum, according to figures published by polling mavericks YouGov.
Read more: EU referendum: Key deadlines, dates and times of results
Only the Vicar of Dibley and Sir Humphrey Appleby (the cunning mandarin from Yes Minister) are more likely to vote Remain, the survey said.
On the other extreme, characters most likely to vote Leave include Basil Fawlty, Jim Royale, Pat Butcher and Del Boy.
Campaigners at Vote Leave were delighted to receive Derek Trotter's support. "Del Boy knew a dodgy deal when he saw one – he knows that Dodgy Dave is trying to pull the wool over our eyes and is telling porkies about the EU," spokesman Rob Oxley told City A.M.
"When we take back control of our economy we’ll be able to do more trade with the rest of the world as we strike deals with India, China and other growing countries. That would help import-export businesses like Trotters Independent Traders to flourish like never before."
Good news, Rodney – by June next year you could be millionaires.
Needless to say, a spokesman for Britain Stronger In Europe took a different tack. "As Mary Poppins would say, Euro allies are fantastic, Brexit is atrocious," said James McGrory.
“From Pontypandy to Dibley to Hogwarts, Britain is stronger, safer and better off in Europe."
