Listen to this article:The bingo brand has told a Reform UK election candidate in Glasgow to stop using Bongo’s Bingo on campaign fundraising material after she promoted a planned event as a “Bongo Bingo Night”.
The dispute involved Audrey Dempsey, Reform UK’s candidate for Easterhouse and Springburn. According to reports, she had advertised a fundraiser at a chapel hall in the constituency using the phrase “Bongo Bingo”. Bongo’s Bingo, which runs entertainment events around the UK, became aware of the promotion and contacted her directly.
It informed her that she did not have permission to use the name and that it did not endorse Reform UK or any of the party’s views. The company said the posts were removed after it raised the matter with her.
The rise to fame of Bongo’s Bingo was a fun experiment at first, leading to a global phenomenon.
Speaking about the dispute, a spokesperson for Bongo’s Bingo said:
“It was drawn to our attention last week that Reform candidate Audrey Dempsey had organised a “Bongo Bingo” fundraiser at St Roch’s Chapel in Royston, Glasgow, to take place on Saturday 11th April. Bongo’s Bingo did not give permission for Audrey to appropriate our name for her fundraising event, and nor do we endorse any views the Reform Party has. We requested Audrey to delete her social media posts promoting the event on Wednesday, 8th and Tuesday, 14th April, based on copyright infringement, and she has now deleted all of her posts relating to the event.”
That statement makes it clear that Bongo’s Bingo wanted to avoid any suggestion that it was connected to Reform UK or backing the party in any way. Regardless of the views of the individuals behind Bongo’s Bingo, once a brand name appears on political campaign material, there is always a chance that people will assume some form of link, even if none exists.
The row over the use of the Bongo’s Bingo name was not the only problem the fundraiser ran into.
According to the reports, the event was later cancelled after the venue hire was withdrawn due to complaints and fears that “there could be riots”. Dempsey then posted online about the cancellation and made clear that she was angry about it.
“Why would somebody be that horrible and that low and nasty. I don’t get it. If it annoys you that much, just don’t come. So the fundraiser on Saturday night, folks is cancelled. For the chop.”
Audrey Dempsey later said the issue with Bongo’s Bingo had been dealt with quickly.
When contacted, she said:
“The use of the name in question was not intended to cause any issue, and as soon as it was brought to my attention, I acted immediately to resolve it. The matter has now been addressed directly and amicably. I’m very pleased the matter has been resolved quickly, and I’m now focusing on the weeks ahead.”
It seems that the matter has now been resolved, and there is no sign from either side that it will go any further.
While the bingo brand may not have been happy to have Bongo’s Bingo used for political purposes, it is a testament to how recognisable the brand has become. Rather than being something niche that only bingo lovers would have heard of, it is now well-known enough to attract attention right across the UK and across a range of demographics.
Overall, regardless of what one thinks of Reform UK, it is probably for the best that bingo remains an entirely apolitical activity that can be enjoyed by all.
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