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Tory MPs say Starbucks’ new red Christmas cups are 'political correctness gone mad'

The MPs are upset the design does not include Christmas-specific symbols

Jon Stone
Monday 09 November 2015 11:20 GMT
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The red cup has a minimalistic design
The red cup has a minimalistic design (Starbucks)

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Coffee giant Starbucks’ new red beverage cups are “political correctness gone mad” a Conservative MP has claimed.

The coffee chain says it has temporarily adopted a plain red cup over the Winter period to “usher in the holidays”.

But Sir David Amess told the Brietbart London website that the minimalistic design was “utter madness” and that the person who came up with it should be “sacked”.

“I do think this is an example of political correctness gone mad. What is Christmas about? It’s CHRIST-Mass,” he said.

“This is utter madness. Who was the idiot who thought this up? He should be sacked!”

Another Conservative MP, David Burrowes, also told the same website the design “smells like political correctness”.

The MPs say they are angry that the cups’ designs do not include direct references to Christmas or Christian symbols.

Starbucks, which has over 500 outlets across the UK, has in previous years adopted designs that feature snowmen, stars, and other symbols.

This year it has decided to adopt a minimalistic red cup.

Jeffrey Fields, Starbucks vice president of Design and Content, said of the new cup design: “Starbucks has become a place of sanctuary during the holidays.

“We’re embracing the simplicity and the quietness of it. It’s more open way to usher in the holiday.”

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