I guess we’ll just have to get used to this. Ever since the Scottish Government had the temerity to ask its people about self-governence Little Britain has only gone and taken the bleedin ump cor blimey. You can ardly move in Londinium these days for earing witty little digs at us sweaties.

BBC2’s Have I Got News For You on Friday were the latest wags to entertain us with some clever Scotch satire. Professional Cockney Ray Winstone – not a bad actor it has to be said – was replaced in the host’s chair at the last moment by a parody account. This was a shame cos I really like Ray Winstone. Instead of hilarious “Oo’s the daddy” we got “Scotland’s economy does ave its strenfs. Its chief exports bein oh-yil, whisky, taahtan and traaahmps.”

A vote was taken among the HIGNY audience on wevvah Scotland should “buggah orff”. I thought that was below the belt from the Have I Got News team, seeing as how the Guardian’s Steve Bell had already used the joke. Hope they paid him royalties.

Satirical economic fanzines such as The Economist have got in on the act with the Jockularity . Who can forget their classic Skintland cover:

Even that corner of Little Britain that shall forever be called The Hootsman joined in with the sweaty-baiting fun. Although it has to be said their wit was less Al Murray and more Rik from The Young Ones: “Oi fascists!”

It’s great that Daan Saarf can poke gentle fun at us. National stereotype jokes defuse the tension.

“There were these 3 Englishmen walked into a bar. It was an iron bar. Har har har.”

It’s all just a bit of fun, innit.

KW