prawn cocktail offensive

prawn cocktail offensive

The (often derisive) name used for politicians' efforts to gain financial support while attending a social event (where prawn cocktails are traditionally served). Primarily heard in UK. I don't want to go to this dinner party—it's just going to become another prawn cocktail offensive, and I'm sick of people asking me for money!
See also: cocktail, offensive, prawn
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • up on (one's) ear
  • chip
  • chips
  • one of the boys
  • one of the lads
  • lad
  • be one of the boys
  • be one of the lads
  • be one of the lads/boys/girls
  • Two Bob
References in periodicals archive
Last time Labour was in power, back in the 1990s, the party launched the "prawn cocktail offensive", when it wined and dined business leaders in an attempt to convince them that Labour was on their side.
Ever since the "prawn cocktail offensive" of Gordon Brown, over a decade ago, Labour has been in thrall to the City, with a slavish devotion to finance and a neglect of industry, and the Labour Party's raison d'tre, the improvement of the condition of the working man.
It was once known as the Prawn Cocktail offensive - in the days when City executives still ate the stuff.
In the run-up to 1997, Labour had gone to enormous lengths to portray itself as a friend to industry, in a "prawn cocktail offensive" led by Mr Brown.
Gordon Brown, when Shadow Chancellor, played a leading role in what became known as the prawn cocktail offensive, where senior New Labour figures toured City boardrooms in an attempt to dispel disquiet about socialist tax-grabbing tactics.
Or worse: a useful idiot who, being a working-class, Old Labour type, kept the party grassroots and unions happy while Blair and his ilk went on their "prawn cocktail offensives" in the City.