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The Chancellor has just made a huge tech joke while in the midst of his Budget speech.
George Osborne made reference to the government increasing investment in the concept of the Internet of Things, and he even managed to tie it in with the ongoing two kitchens debate.
Of course, it didn’t take long for social media to react to firstly a mention of something trending in the tech world, and the fact that it came in the House of Commons. Not necessarily a trendy place.
Osborne just said "internet of things" like my Grandmother
— Ben Wright (@_BenWright_) March 18, 2015
Wondering how much Osborne actually understands some of the words in his Budget speech #fintech #InternetOfThings
— Clare Fraser (@clare_f) March 18, 2015
Osborne appears to have decided on support for the internet of things to generate a two-kitchens gag about ed miliband #budget2015
— Robert Peston (@Peston) March 18, 2015
Osborne squinting while he talked about the 'Internet of Things' looked like a Grandad having just been handed an iPhone for the first time.
— Lauren (@fateiskind) March 18, 2015
George Osborne just said Internet of things. I feel dirty
— Meg Pickard (@megpickard) March 18, 2015
Bad news: Osborne said 'Internet of things' – Good news: Gladstone spinning in his grave so fast that the revolutions can power a small town
— Mike Bird (@Birdyword) March 18, 2015
But at least some in the tech industry were happy to hear it at least get a mention.
Delighted to hear @George_Osborne showing such support for Internet of Things as part of #smartcities #Budget2015 #IoT
— FutureCitiesCatapult (@futurecitiescat) March 18, 2015
Be interested to see how Osborne plans to 'support the Internet of things'? #Budget2015
— David Emm (@emm_david) March 18, 2015
Osborne announces Internet of Things research with dig at Miliband – he could control his 2 fridges with phone. Quite funny #Budget2015 #IoT
— Derm McNally (@ixdStudio) March 18, 2015
But sadly the majority still reacted like this.
Horrible hearing Osborne trying to say "internet of things" in the budget just for a 2 kitchen "joke" #Budget2015
— Ian Hughes/epredator (@epredator) March 18, 2015
So while the Chancellor gets points for a “pop culture” reference, it seems to have gone down as well as your Dad thinking it’ll make him look cool if he starts singing along to Rihanna in the car.
