‘Oh Flower Of Flextension’: Alastair Campbell plays bagpipes as Brexit ‘relief’

Former Downing Street press secretary Alastair Campbell has shared a video of himself playing bagpipes to provide a “little light relief” during the “Brexit madness”.

A vocal advocate for the People’s Vote campaign group, which supports a public ballot on the final Brexit deal, Mr Campbell said his bagpipes “make a much needed intervention”.

At the end of the footage, he declares: “That was a new tune called ‘Oh Flower Of Flextension: Do Not Listen To The May Madness’, goodbye.”

He tagged political leaders in his post including European Council president Donald Tusk, Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macro, saying: “This is for you.”

The reaction to his video has been awash with puns, with TV presenter Piers Morgan describing him as a “whiny, old, puffed up windbag” in response.

Others were more encouraging of Mr Campbell’s playing, with some suggesting venues for his next performance.

Outside the home of Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg was one popular suggestion.

Some had other jokes to make about the music, with TV producer Jim Sheridan confusing the instrument with a screaming octopus.

He tweeted: “Good god Alastair what are you doing to that Octopus!! Can’t you hear him screaming.”

And the performance even merited a duet thanks to one fellow Twitter user.

User @lulichill shared a video of their dog listening and barking along with Mr Campbell’s playing.

“I loved it you talented man,” they said. “But you set my dog off!”