Virgin Trains decision to stop selling Daily Mail, subsequently reversed

[whole diary]

[Red Squirrel]

Virgin Trains drops Daily Mail as it deems paper 'not compatible with our beliefs'

Virgin Trains has stopped stocking the Daily Mail in its on-board shops or providing it in first-class carriages, saying it has decided the paper is "not compatible" with its brand and beliefs.

[...]

"Thousands of people choose to read the Daily Mail every day. But they will no longer be reading it courtesy of VT^▸ (Virgin Trains - former franchise (or, possibly, in a France context, Versement Transport - a payroll tax on employers to fund local transport) ) [Virgin Trains]. There’s been considerable concern raised by colleagues about the Mail’s editorial position on issues such as immigration, LGBT rights, and unemployment. We’ve decided that this paper is not compatible with the VT brand and our beliefs. We won’t be stocking the Daily Mail for sale or as a giveaway."

Source: PR^▸ (Public Relations) Week

[JayMac]

Excellent news. Back to proper soft paper in the toilets.

[TaplowGreen]

Whilst signalling on Britain's railways is fragile and unreliable it's good to see virtue signalling thriving.

Very kind of Branson to help his customers decide which newspaper they should read.

[ChrisB]

Theyve never offered it on train....and to avoid any confusion, this only refers to West Coast too

[Timmer]

Theyve never offered it on train....and to avoid any confusion, this only refers to West Coast too

That's what I thought. The last time I travelled on Virgin West Coast First class the complimentary paper was The Guardian.

I think this is a bit of publicity stunt by Virgin that could end up being an own goal. People don't like being told what to do so it wouldn't surprise me if there were more people than usual reading The Daily Mail whilst travelling on Virgin trains today.

[TaplowGreen]

Theyve never offered it on train....and to avoid any confusion, this only refers to West Coast too

That's what I thought. The last time I travelled on Virgin West Coast First class the complimentary paper was The Guardian.

I think this is a bit of publicity stunt by Virgin that could end up being an own goal. People don't like being told what to do so it wouldn't surprise me if there were more people than usual reading The Daily Mail whilst travelling on Virgin trains today.

The Grauniad? 

Good God, I never thought I'd be grateful to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) but at least The Times is a decent newspaper to read in 1st class, at least they're getting something right! 

[ChrisB]

Murdoch <spit!>

[JayMac]

Whilst signalling on Britain's railways is fragile and unreliable it's good to see virtue signalling thriving.

Very kind of Branson to help his customers decide which newspaper they should read.

The Daily Mail hasn't been banned from his trains. Those who wish to read the hate filled rag can still buy one before boarding.

[TaplowGreen]

Whilst signalling on Britain's railways is fragile and unreliable it's good to see virtue signalling thriving.

Very kind of Branson to help his customers decide which newspaper they should read.

The Daily Mail hasn't been banned from his trains. Those who wish to read the hate filled rag can still buy one before boarding.

I don't think there was any suggestion in the article, or subsequent comments, that it had been banned, and God help us as a Nation if we ever get to a stage where mainstream newspapers are banned anywhere or any form of censorship is applied.

For the record, I don't read the Mail, or the Sun, Morning Star, Railway Magazine, The Beano etc etc but I'd defend to the death the right of anyone who wished to, wherever they choose to, whether or not I agree with the content or the readers.

[ChrisB]

Does that include top-shelf magazines too?

[Timmer]

Does that include top-shelf magazines too?

Does anyone still buy those when it's so freely available online?

[TaplowGreen]

Does that include top-shelf magazines too?

Does anyone still buy those when it's so freely available online?

I can't reach them - too short.

[ChrisB]

Does that include top-shelf magazines too?

Does anyone still buy those when it's so freely available online?

Doesn't that comment also apply to the Daily Mail then?

[Red Squirrel]

For the record, I don't read the Mail, or the Sun, Morning Star, Railway Magazine, The Beano etc etc but I'd defend to the death the right of anyone who wished to, wherever they choose to, whether or not I agree with the content or the readers.

Ah, the Voltaire* of Burnham Beeches...

_{* or was it Evelyn Beatrice Hall?}

[Timmer]

Doesn't that comment also apply to the Daily Mail then?

Good point Chris. Also applies to The Guardian too which is losing money hand over fist.