UK government is 'hoisted by their own perky, purple-haired, patriotic petard'

"Amelia" was supposed to show British boys the evils of right-wing extremism. She got her start in a government-funded game as a bad example for young "Charlie."

Instead, the right has turned the "waifu" character into a "saucy, sassy" advocate for British traditions and restricting immigration, writes Beege Wellborn on Hot Air.

"There's an independent, subversive, England-loving, purple-haired Goth girl taking online, disgruntled Brits by storm, and it's got the Labour government's knickers all in a twist," she writes. The fictional teenager has inspired anime cartoons, lessons on British history and an "in your face" AI version.

In the government's game, teenagers risked being referred to Prevent, an anti-extremism program, if their character showed interest in "harmful ideological messages" or protests against the "erosion of British values," reports The Telegraph. "Researching online immigration statistics is portrayed negatively," as is "sharing a video that claims Muslim men, rather than homeless veterans, are being given emergency accommodation."

On Postcards from Barsoom, John Carter has more on the travails of Charlie, who receives counseling for his incorrect opinions and "learns to love Little Sister."

So they made Amelia a rebel against conformity. And they made her cute.

The game has now disabled the Amelia segment, writes Wellborn. But it's too late. "It's beyond awesome to watch them hoisted by their own perky purple-haired, patriotic petard."