Drake Street Art: Rowen Rat, Banana Knob and Blingy Portcullis

Those naughty boys of Rochdale Alternative Website aka RAW sign off today by reminding us that their Blogger efforts are entirely free and not paid for by the taxpayer. This seems a bit gratuitous. In circumstances where the local MP is under pressure over some of the stuff he's bought with taxpayer's money it's certainly rather near the knuckle. Seems unnecessary really.
A bit unpleasant even.

Can't they keep a civil tongue in their heads? NO? Oh well, never mind.

Along with a tedious and rambling recapitulation of some of the Liberal Democrat "sleaze down the decades" in the dirty dark ginnels and sweaty sleazy sewers of Rochdale town they bring us an artist's response to the vile accusations of vile sleaze against Rowen Rat.

Combining a rather priapic 40p banana - perhaps caught some adult TV services? - and some parliamentary bling the Rowen Rat (no relation) stencil is clearly NOT the work of Banksy (shop, with free downloads, also not paid for by the taxpayer).

Banksy never signs his work. And he would obviously know that use of the royal parliamentary portcullis (history pdf) is strictly controlled. It shouldn't be used in conjunction with party political logos and material. And it certainly ought not to appear amidst the main signage on a party political building.

This art is signed by one "Spanksy". When mapped appears to be emanating from PR Paul Rowen MP's Drake Street headquarters, owned by and shared with local Libdemologists at large. The word on the street is probably wrong. Suggesting as it does that Rowen has sent out his spray can boys (yes, these ARE funded by the taxpayer) to spray this "fuck you" "I'll bling if I want to" defiance, like a dog weeing (and worse) on every lamp post. Though rats aren't themselves territorial in this way Rowen Rat's tax payer salaried munchkins are.

Seems incredible really. Still, it probably makes more sense than launching a "don't you know I'm the Big I Am?" legal challenge that could come back and bite bottoms. And not in a good way. And from Penzance to John O Groats to boot. That would be a terrible tactical error. The work of a political imbecile. Pictured below centre. Below misused portcullis.