Petition · past parliament

Let Iceland boardcast their banned Christmas advert.

Rejected 18 signatures

What the petition asks

Iceland has recently created a Christmas advert showing the impact that deforestation due to palm oil has had on wild Orangutans. The advert features a beautiful poem read by Emma Thompson. It’s shocking that such a tearjerking advert is banned. It must be allowed to be boardcasted.
Iceland’s banned advert can be seen here:- https://youtu.be/JdpspllWI2o

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

The decision was taken by Clearcast, who are a private organisation. They preclear adverts on behalf of broadcasters before they appear on television.

You can find their statement here:

https://www.clearcast.co.uk/blog/clearcasts-md-responds-to-coverage-of-their-decision-not-to-clear-the-iceland-ad/

Broadcast adverts are covered by the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising. The rules on political advertising are the responsibility of Ofcom, and not the UK Government or Parliament.

https://www.asa.org.uk/codes-and-rulings/advertising-codes/broadcast-code.html

You could start a new petition calling for changes to the way advertising is regulated in the UK if that is something you would like to see happen.

Timeline

10 Nov 2018 Petition opened for signatures
13 Nov 2018 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 18
Status Rejected
Rejected 13 Nov 2018

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.