M&S advert faces more criticism over 'failing to keep Christmas spirit alive'

06 November 2023 , 11:13

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M&S advert faces more criticism over 'failing to keep Christmas spirit alive'

The Marks and Spencer Christmas advert has come under further criticism as a headteacher believes it undermines the festive spirit.

Katharine Birbalsingh, leader of Michaela Community School in Wembley, northwest London, blasted the ad on X, formerly known as Twitter. She expressed her "deep disappointment" at our "national department store" failing to "keep the spirit of Christmas alive" for the children.

The lengthy letter argued festive adverts typically tell the "magical tales of Father Christmas, of kindness and of beauty". However, M&S has already been slammed for its ad, released on November 1, because an outtake emerged, which some people say showed an item resembling the colours of the Palestinian flag burning in a fire grate.

The TV advert features Hannah Waddingham, Zawe Ashton, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Tan France (Marks and Spencer)

In a statement, M&S apologised for "any unintentional hurt caused" and removed the post, while also noting that the advert was filmed in August. Hannah Waddingham, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Zawe Ashton and Tan France star in the advert, which M&S says was designed to encourage consumers to celebrate Christmas how they want to, rather than doing what tradition expects of them.

But Ms Birbalsingh, often cited as "Britain’s strictest headteacher", added in the letter: "When our nation is on its knees, trying to keep our spirits high for what we can all achieve together, this is not the time for you to encourage people to ignore the inspirational spirit of Christmas of self-sacrifice, gratitude, giving of one’s time and finances to help one’s fellow man, of children’s laughter, of magical tales of Father Christmas, of kindness and of beauty, and instead tell us to 'do whatever we want for ourselves'.

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"I run an inner-city school in London, where we try hard to instil values of decency daily in our children. When Marks and Spencer puts two fingers up to these values, it makes our lives as teachers much more difficult and it stifles social mobility and happiness for our children, in particular for the disadvantaged."

The outtake showed burning hats, the colour of which resembles the Palestinian flag

Quoting the character Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, Birbalsingh said "selfishness is not what Christmas is about" before asking: "How can you do this to our country at such a time as this? Shame on you!" She continued: "May God, or Allah, or Vishnu take pity on you!"

But Ms Birbalsingh's argument divided opinion on X, with some saying the teacher has missed larger concerns about the advert, such as the colour of the burning hats. And former Top Gear presenter James May also chimed in and said: "Good grief. Marks and Spencer is not our 'national department store'. That will be John Lewis. Marks and Spencer is our national pants supplier. Get it right. You’re a 'teacher'."

A Marks and Spencer spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: "This year’s Christmas Clothing & Home ad is intended to be a tongue-in-cheek take on Christmas traditions, recognising that we all have different Christmases and reminding customers that it doesn’t matter how they choose to celebrate, just do what makes them happy." Mirror has contacted the company for further comment.

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