In a move that is almost ironically un-British, Barnet Council has taken a bold step to banish all use of irony in its public communications. This decision, they believe, will avoid any misunderstanding among the local residents, who, according to the council, often struggle to grasp the nuances of this form of humour.
In the eye of this somewhat unconventional storm is Barnet Council’s Head of Planning, Barry Noonan. Known for his quick wit and often ironic communication style, he is now faced with the task of adjusting his public rhetoric to suit the new regulations.
“I find it a tad bit ironic,” Noonan said, “that we’re banning irony. But if the shoe—or in this case, the rule—fits, we must wear it.”
The recent confusion over the council’s lost cat notices perfectly illustrates the council’s rationale. A message that was intended to be amusing – “Have you seen this cat? Because it would be ironic if you haven’t, as it is the very cat that has been causing the ‘missing bird’ problem in your backyard” – led to a torrent of concerned calls from residents who believed there was a feline felon on the loose.
Further compounding the council’s irony woes was a statement about local building work which read, “We regret the disruption to your daily life as we repair these roads, but isn’t it just ironic that we’re creating potholes to ultimately fill them in?” This sparked heated debates among locals who, missing the irony, wondered why the council was purposefully making potholes.
Not everyone is on board with the new communication directive. Some locals have voiced their support for the council’s previously employed wit. Mrs Sheila Greenfield, a longtime resident, noted, “The ironic notices were the only part of council communications that I actually enjoyed reading!”
As Barnet Council implements this bold move, it will be intriguing to see if other councils follow suit or if they will maintain their sarcastic road signs, self-deprecating service announcements, and tongue-in-cheek community updates. As for Mr Noonan, it’s back to the drawing board, this time minus the irony.
In the meantime, irony, it seems, has lost its place in Barnet – ironically in a nation known for its dry wit and love of ironic humour.