The ‘train tinny’ has been hailed a British institution in defence of Diane Abbott after the shadow Home Secretary was photographed drinking an M&S mojito on a London Overground train.
Abbott apologised after pictures emerged of her drinking on a TFL train yesterday afternoon.
Boris Johnson banned alcohol on London services in 2008 when he was mayor of London.
At the time he said: “I firmly believe that banning the drinking of alcohol on London’s public transport will create a better travelling environment for all Londoners and that if we drive out antisocial behaviour and so-called minor crime then we will be able to get a firm grip on more serious crime.”
But there has been a surge of solidarity since the news broke, with many people hailing the ‘train tinny’ as a British institution.
Labour MP, David Lammy, replied to her tweet, saying: “Sorry for what? Why wasn’t the rum Jamaican.”
And Metro writer Ellen Scott declared that the train tinny is a vital part of British culture in this piece.
Other people have even taken to ranking M&S drink mixers – which are widely available at British train stations.
M&S tinnies, ranked:
— Josh Barrie (@joshbythesea) April 20, 2019
1. Mojito
2. Caipirinha
3. Whisky & ginger
4. Vodka & tonic
5. Cosmo
6. Gin & tonic
7. Porn star martini
8. Raspberry mojito
9. Pina colada
10. Bramble
We pick the best of the reactions below:
After a hard day on the #LabourDoorstep what better way to relax than with a #mojitogate on the train back to Hackney. Solidarity with @HackneyAbbott. We’re allowed to drink on national rail. Repeal Boris’s tfl ban! pic.twitter.com/q2ho1rNDdg
— Patrick J Barrett (@patriquelebleu) April 20, 2019
Rolling like Diane Abbott pic.twitter.com/PvnIM1KdDc
— Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliamsMEN) April 20, 2019
Right wing rags are truly desperate for a hit against Labour when the best they can do is push a pointless story on Diane Abbott swigging an M&S mojito on a bloody train. It’s backfired as loads of us have done it – she just like us! Meanwhile inhuman Tory policies go ignored… pic.twitter.com/d914X99KL2
— Mojito Damo ? #GTTO #JC4PM2019 (@Cornish_Damo) April 20, 2019
Everyone trying the M&S Mojito this summer after @HackneyAbbott put us on pic.twitter.com/XGAXuOHvQs
— #1 (@Terry__A) April 20, 2019