I see a Bentall Centre advert showing three cats about to go shopping under the banner “Elbows ready girls” has come under fire from various interested parties, including a group calling themselves Everyday Sexism.

Apparently the advert portrays women as “catty, self-obsessed bitches”.

God, some people will moan about anything won’t they?

One look at Everyday Sexism’s website shows exactly where they’re coming from. One of the posts is complaining about the children’s game Guess Who?, and its lack of female characters.

I swear this is true, I’m not making it up. Everyday Sexism says the Bentall’s ad “reinforces an ancient stereotype of women as materialistic”.

I’ve never really seen a problem with stereotypes.

I’m from the north of England, and if someone wanted to joke that we’re all pie-eating thickos on benefits, living in back-to-back housing with 15 kids, then that’s fine by me.

I wouldn’t get upset. I may sigh because I’ve heard it all before, but that’s as far as it goes.

And stereotypes are normally based on an element of truth anyway. And as we all know, if there’s one thing people in this country hate, it’s honesty.

It’s not that I’m saying the sentiment in the Bentall’s advert is correct. I don’t really care one way or the other. And that’s the point. It doesn’t matter.

When Emmeline Pankhurst marched for women’s rights it was for an important and noble cause.

And the same for Emily Davison when she threw herself in front of a horse at the Derby in 1913.

One thing’s for certain. They didn’t risk their lives and liberties because of a shopping advert featuring cats or a Guess Who? game.