Do you remember way back in May of 2005, when Britain was in the midst of a national scandal that threatened the very fabric of the Union? The country was in uproar, MPs were passing early day motions condemning the BBC for its bias, and there was a real possibility that Scotland might actually break away from the United Kingdom.
And all because of this:
While the Met Office were clearly licking their own genitals with self-congratulation, the tilting of the map was already causing consternation. The SNP MP Angus MacNeil passed a motion in Parliament demanding that Scotland not be made to look quite so small on the screen.
The BBC bit back, arguing that it was the same size as on the old map, and that it was just that Devon was much bigger, because of something called perspective.
Let’s judge for ourselves, by examining the last ever report using the old graphics:
But Angus begged to differ:
People in my constituency depend on reliable weather forecasting for a range of crucial outdoor activities – including fishing and crofting – but this new map leaves them with almost zero visibility for weather in the isles.
There would be outcry in London if the map was angled from the north, because it would have Barra bigger than London and Lewis twice the size of the south-west.
We are well used to changeable weather, but this map is a change too far.
The BBC needs to rethink their daft distorted map. They need to see Scotland as it is.
Eventually, the BBC capitulated, and tilted the map back upright a little, and the Union was saved, leaving the BBC Weather Department to do what it does best, forecast the weather in a totally professional manner:
