Comments
A chance to design Labour's next poster
2010-03-29 09:47:29
It was good to hear Gordon Brown restating that Labour are the 'people's party' when he launched the election pledge card at the weekend.
Good to see too that Labour are trying to ensure theirs is the 'people's campaign' .
The latest manifestation is the invitation to online supporters to design Labour's next poster.
The Party does not have Ashcroft-type money to fund the kind of enormous poster campaigns the Tories have been putting up since the New Year.
But digital poster boards have been booked in London and Manchester for next weekend, and they will be filled with what are judged to be the best ideas sent in by members of the public.
Even the most bright-eyed Tory strategist would have to recognise that their hugely expensive campaign has not produced the results they hoped for. The 'airbrushed' poster of a giant David Cameron was a disaster. The second wave highlighting first-time Tory voters was better, technically, but does not appear to have halted the narrowing of the polls. The latest wave, entirely focused on GB, smacks a little of desperation, whilst also reminding people the Tories are still the nasty party.
One of the most interesting political developments of recent weeks has been the extent to which the Tory posters have been subject to immediate and often effective online ridicule.
The moment I knew the airbrushed posters represented Ashcroft money down the drain was when someone had defaced a real poster to turn David Cameron into Elvis Presley and changed the Tory slogan to 'we can't go on like this ... with suspicious minds.'
Likewise my favourite execution of the first-time voters idea was the one showing Robert Mugabe's backing for Cameron over GB. And the anti-GB poster is already being used by Labour supporters online to show genuine points of delivery, as opposed to the knocking stuff on the Tory versions.
Labour and their ad agency, Saatchi & Saatchi, have put out two briefs to supporters for the 'people's poster' that will go up next week. One focuses on Labour's pledge to protect frontline services, the second on David Cameron's lack of substance. Nice and easy.
I was sent a good idea over the weekend from a Facebook friend, Hamish Thompson, who suggested opening a Cameron supermarket in which empty tins and cartons covered in DC and his slogans are handed out. Hamish wants to go as far as opening a Cameron hospital, and showing there is nothing in there too. That might be a touch expensive to execute but there is definitely something in the empty tins and cartons, and again it shows, a bit like all the ideas which have flooded into mydavidcameron.com that people out there are already onto the lack of substance theme.
Both to see some of the Saatchi and Saatchi ideas, and to find out how to send in your own ideas, go to http://www.labour.org.uk/labours-new-ad
** Buy The Blair Years online and raise cash for Labour http://www.alastaircampbell.org/bookshop.php.
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No hiding place from Twitter, me on the bike, JP in DCPublish date: 2009-07-17 18:17:09
At last - something Obama cannot do wellPublish date: 2009-07-16 10:05:47
Will MPs take the lead in the debate on euthanasia?Publish date: 2009-07-15 12:30:01
Berlin brothel leads the way to a greener worldPublish date: 2009-07-14 10:57:25
A time for GB to explain the whole picturePublish date: 2009-07-13 12:37:54
All hail Monty, Jimmy and Collie!Publish date: 2009-07-12 20:06:36
First triathlon of the summer for me, education award for FionaPublish date: 2009-07-12 09:43:06
Of Burnley's friendly and Obama's wandering eyePublish date: 2009-07-11 12:38:52
Two great early morning momentsPublish date: 2009-07-10 10:27:07
Cameron had better be sure he's rightPublish date: 2009-07-09 11:06:22
Guardian scoop has big questions for press, cops and CameronPublish date: 2009-07-08 20:40:54
Divisive legend: Lance ArmstrongPublish date: 2009-07-07 10:38:23
First hug a hoodie, now grab a gayPublish date: 2009-07-06 12:57:09
Mail on Scumday's wonderful account of Lansley's kipperdomPublish date: 2009-07-05 13:14:51
Ecclestone undermines his own success with alarming views on HitlerPublish date: 2009-07-04 14:04:04
When the conmen move more quickly than the councilPublish date: 2009-07-03 10:19:52
Andrew Lansley done up like a kipperPublish date: 2009-07-02 10:10:52
A day spent interviewing footballers, then being interviewed by a transvestite comedianPublish date: 2009-07-01 14:47:40
When the power of black eyes fadesPublish date: 2009-06-30 09:24:59
Farewell to Henry HodgePublish date: 2009-06-29 20:41:12
Honouring the power of sport to do goodPublish date: 2009-06-29 14:49:42
Andy Murray is a winner. Is that why some Brits don't like him?Publish date: 2009-06-28 09:19:20
New Parliament will look very different. The younger the betterPublish date: 2009-06-27 17:34:26
Two nice surprises, sad end to dayPublish date: 2009-06-26 09:16:33
Apology from the Spectator on Iraq boosts Henry Hodge fundPublish date: 2009-06-25 19:57:26
Thanks to Mr Harper on mental health, rebuttal of Mr Hague on IraqPublish date: 2009-06-24 23:47:54
Glad to find Eric Cantona in a quiet cinema ...Publish date: 2009-06-24 00:46:23
By Dave's friends shall we know him?Publish date: 2009-06-23 11:30:20
The Speaker has to balance tradition and change - but defend ParliamentPublish date: 2009-06-22 11:58:44
Less a blog than an apology for not having done onePublish date: 2009-06-21 20:07:43
The day Lions skipper Paul O'Connell took my trousers downPublish date: 2009-06-20 11:48:28
On the Iraq inquiry, Independent article wrongPublish date: 2009-06-19 20:28:24
Thank you to three readers, now please get involvedPublish date: 2009-06-19 09:13:35
A tribute to a lovely manPublish date: 2009-06-18 17:19:40
Bad times in Belfast, great day for Burnley, odd statement from Ed BallsPublish date: 2009-06-18 10:04:47
A plea for five-figure cyber-donationsPublish date: 2009-06-17 07:40:42
On two inquiriesPublish date: 2009-06-16 08:57:39
From India to Iran to Labour witPublish date: 2009-06-15 10:13:17
Memories of Princess DianaPublish date: 2009-06-14 09:54:55
A House Divided?Publish date: 2009-06-13 02:53:47
A humbling NHS experience, a media row and a good GB speechPublish date: 2009-06-12 10:48:46
Psychiatrists heading for relegation in 'disease prestige' league tablePublish date: 2009-06-11 10:25:35
The shrinks awaitPublish date: 2009-06-10 09:44:16
As Obama fights for healthcare, let's celebrate the record herePublish date: 2009-06-09 12:52:55
Anger at BNP seats must be turned into activismPublish date: 2009-06-08 14:11:10
Can today be as frenzied as Friday?Publish date: 2009-06-07 10:31:04
Take heart from a win in LambethPublish date: 2009-06-06 18:46:40
JP is right there was no proper campaign but Tories still weakPublish date: 2009-06-05 13:47:20
Do we care more about the NHS or moats?Publish date: 2009-06-04 00:21:23
Guardian of social justice or attention-seeker?Publish date: 2009-06-03 10:19:33
Who says Britain can't deliver the best?Publish date: 2009-06-02 08:08:38
Mainstream has a duty to vote against BNPPublish date: 2009-06-01 11:03:29
Let Diversity inspire a vote against the hate-filled BNPPublish date: 2009-05-31 12:24:20
White House whack at UK media well-timed but sure to be ignoredPublish date: 2009-05-30 13:41:00
Elvis has a plan to make MPs King againPublish date: 2009-05-29 12:09:44
At least there's a campaign on in ItalyPublish date: 2009-05-28 09:04:32
A blow to gay rights and a boost for Cameron's short-termismPublish date: 2009-05-27 11:27:41
It's my blog and I'll be a big kid if I want toPublish date: 2009-05-26 23:25:58
Highs feel better after so many lowsPublish date: 2009-05-26 10:13:12
Only one present countsPublish date: 2009-05-25 11:05:46
Contrast Cheney and BushPublish date: 2009-05-24 12:11:45
Sex (or at least the female form) obsessed BritainPublish date: 2009-05-23 20:49:57
Sport at both ends of the financial spectrumPublish date: 2009-05-23 09:57:23
Stronger together - whether Scotland or expensesPublish date: 2009-05-22 10:22:36
Back to Number 10, familiar faces, familiar argumentsPublish date: 2009-05-21 10:14:34
Speaking up for ParliamentPublish date: 2009-05-20 11:44:17
Peace in the Middle East - yes he canPublish date: 2009-05-19 09:37:35
Breaking news - one frenzy at a timePublish date: 2009-05-18 10:34:30
Getting a good look at Vince CablePublish date: 2009-05-17 09:36:55
How do you solve a problem like Silvio?Publish date: 2009-05-16 09:32:21
It was the internet wot won itPublish date: 2009-05-15 10:04:57
There now follows ... a good whack at CameronPublish date: 2009-05-14 17:21:28
They got their kit off - so you get your cash outPublish date: 2009-05-14 07:41:11
Expenses row must not obscure Tory intentions on minimum wagePublish date: 2009-05-13 16:12:08
We love you Burnley, we do ... what a nightPublish date: 2009-05-13 02:37:17
A tweet cannot express the wonders of TGVPublish date: 2009-05-12 08:48:31
It's Mind week - Get it off your Chest with me and Stephen FryPublish date: 2009-05-11 06:29:15
Hate the Mail, love ObamaPublish date: 2009-05-10 10:04:00
Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased reportPublish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32
MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet againPublish date: 2009-05-09 09:50:19
Should happiness replace prosperity as national goal?Publish date: 2009-05-08 08:43:23
Musings from a sleepless nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Good signals on coal and the OlympicsPublish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28
Tips for the London MarathonPublish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47
Will English always be the dominant language?Publish date: 2009-04-11 10:02:02
On the pipes and what makes a ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53
Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59
Of Benn and BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Why Kevin Rudd made an impactPublish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07
Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02
Learning the right lessons from ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09
Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13
Life beyond Dover ...Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21
My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13
Is all change good?Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06
The pressure of being a post-modern sex godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25
Start of a new approach from Labour?Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12
A peace process still strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56
She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59
Some speeches matter more than othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36
Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12
Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59
Me, Dermot and ten top songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50
Dave Cameron - is that all there is?Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55
Boris Johnson: F is for ...Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10
The Cameron vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47
Eighteen interviews later ...Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45
Time to talk about Time to Change on NewsnightPublish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49
So that’s what they mean by online community?Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51
First blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
s chapman
2010-03-30 09:10:52Last nights debate - did anyone notice the bald headed smart guy nodding away when AD spoke like the proverbial nodding dog ! Im sure its the same dude who sat front row in the Chilcott enquiry when Blair spoke nodding away...is this the Labour secret weapon a nodding dog?
Djunfitforwork
2010-03-30 01:32:15It has to involve a Tory "axe" imo.How about a spoof on Jack Nicholon's axe in "The Shining" -with the headline "HERE'S TORY"! -weilded by Osborn and Cameron -coming down on Jobs -Public Services -The Recovery etc?
Everyone's a "creative" eh?
SimonGittins
2010-03-29 23:39:58How about putting out a poster detailing Labour's major achievements over the last 13 years.
Pay for it by the word and you will not need 'Ashcroft-type money', it will cost F*** all.
As for the 'people's party', perhaps 'people on benefits party' would be more suitable !
dc
2010-03-29 22:20:05just watched the tv debate between the chancellors... AD came of pretty well i thought and he made a good point early on about the lack of any real funding for osbournes national insurance idea. the one that probably came of best was vince cable though... Osbourne looked a bit stumped when he was told you're number one tax policy is to reduce tax for the 3000 wealthiest estates!
I think this was a rare opportunity for AD to get a platform to make it clear to people what he has done to save the economy from much worse and i think people wil trust him...should see more of him i think.
Alan Quinn
2010-03-29 20:57:16Listened to cuddly Ken today on the Jeremy Vine show on the radio, he appeared as shadow business secretary but spent 95% of the time asking questions that should have been put to Osborne. A few clangers from him, he insisted that more teachers are'nt better for education. I thought that all tories sent their kids to grammar schools where they're taught in classes of 10-15.
On the inheritence tax he stated that many working class people with houses worth over £300,000 would benefit from it. Not many people I know with houses worth that much in Manchester!
Finally he did speak about business mentioning James Dyson as a good example. Dyson closed his factory to move production abroad making 800 workers redundant.
Robert Jackson
2010-03-29 18:57:19I don't have the kit to produce a poster.
Whatever the punchlines, let's keep it positive!
RJ
2010-03-29 17:12:05I've already sent my idea to Labour HQ: Entitled 'The Tories' Latest Masterpiece': Cameron and Osbourne grin away as they parade their latest painting which says 'Tory Manifesto 2010: Wrecking the Economic Recovery'.
Zelo Street
2010-03-29 17:01:07The suggestion you had from Hamish Thompson is close to an idea I passed to my former MP (Mike Hall, very hard working and available to his constituents).
This was the concept of "Brand Cameron", an aspirational product (of course) which comes in tins or cartons using a similar style to Campbell's Soup (no relation) - Cameron instead of Campbell. The tins, when opened, are shown to be empty, and Brand Cameron turns out to be all aspiration and no substance.
You could also feature a slightly dodgy and circumferentially challenged salesman called Fat Eric, who shamelessly pushes Brand Cameron with his mildly patronising "Righteous Yorkie" attitude.
Charlie Reynolds
2010-03-29 14:11:55Maybe just use the quote from the Welsh ex Labour MP who joined the Tories today. He seems to sum it up very well. Bung a piccie of yourself and Mandy up too. Sorted guvner.
Great to see Osborne on NICs today. Labour's tax increase on income is wrong. A tax on jobs when the economy is in a poor state is plain wrong. We should be looking to encourage job growth. The fact he is aiming it at the low AND MIDDLE income earners is good to see. We all know that Labour will end up taxing those of us in the middle who have never reached the higher rate. There's not enough of the higher earners to cover Labour's debt and deficit crisis. You haven't got the balls to take the tough decisions on public spending as your commentary keeps showing. You seem dishonest when talking about hospitals and schools when you know that you will have to cut public spending more than Thatcher.
Peter Farley
2010-03-29 13:24:42Once again Alastair you, and most of those who comment here, have missed the point. The new posters with pictures of the PM are not personal or nasty. They quite clearly point out valid home truths about his and Labour's dreadful track record, whether on crime, education or the economy. On the other hand the petty jibes in Labour posters featuring Osborne are purely personal. And give up on the hackneyed line about Ashcroft's money, it pales into insignifcance against Labour's trade union financing.
s chapman
2010-03-29 12:40:23Patrick James - are you in fact AC's shadow?Been following this blog for a few weeks and never heard such a sycophantic load of rubbish...
Your comment today smacks of jealously and defeatism...and AC aren't pledge cards something from the past a bit Blue Peterish,cut from a cereal packet etc...
Millie Partington
2010-03-29 12:26:05Cute move by the Tories today but I don't think the public believe they can deliver it. Darling has to take Osborne to the cleaners tonight
Chris Goode
2010-03-29 12:25:05Picture of Osborne ,,,, this man will be in charge of your money, your schools, your hospitals ... have I won yet?
Trickie Dickie
2010-03-29 12:20:04My poster would have DC and Oik playing on a play station with the caption.
Division bell! "members are requested to vote on the motion in the next ten minutes".
Patrick James
2010-03-29 11:50:47I think this election should be called:
Election 2.0
Patrick James
2010-03-29 11:49:26I'm delighted by the idea of letting the supporters design the posters. It is such a good idea I wish I'd thought of it myself.
I think the Conservative party's posters are being ridiculed partially because we know they have cost a fortune to make. As voters we are being preached at by those posters, told how we should think by the very rich.
The Labour campaign should be "ground up". It should involve the people and respect them. Getting supporters to design the posters is a perfect way of achieving this. Also the idea itself demonstrates imagination whereas the Conservatives changing of advertising agency shows no imagination at all.
I think M&C; Saatchi's posters are about the best they could do given the circumstances, but, boy, are they basic. They are so basic when I first saw them I thought that maybe they were trying to make them as easy as possible for people to change the text.
I think the Conservatives have a problem attacking Brown which is that the public are saying "enough already" to Brown attacks. They are fed up with it and the more the Conservatives attack Brown in this personal manner the more people will start wanting to defend him.
Labour wife
2010-03-29 11:17:51Brilliant idea - shld get some great posters. Pity the 'single thought' in the brief for ad 1 is more kitchen sink than single-minded tho' - am finding it v. tough!!!
Chris lancashire
2010-03-29 10:46:27Sad to see Burnley go down to Blackburn yesterday. I do hope that Burnley's relegation isn't a harbinger for Labour's relegation.
BTW, all this lightweight poster stuff is very amusing but what happened to policy?
Paula Marsh
2010-03-29 10:39:44What is good about the defaced posters, online or real, is that when I see one of the real ones,undefaced, I think of some of the defaced ones. They do not get the modern world and modern comms
CH
2010-03-29 10:35:39I work in advertising and my colleagues and I are astonished to put it mildly that the Tories now have two agencies working alongside each other. As your diaries make very clear, political parties are not the easiest clients !!... and the agencies tend to do the work less for money than for prestige and profile. So the hiring of M and C Saatchi was pretty humiliating for Euro RSCG. It does however point to a real problem in strategy and I thik that is the reason there appear to be so many problems with their presentation - because the reality is not fixed
Brian Tomkinson
2010-03-29 10:25:24Not surprising that, with such an appalling record after 13 years in office, Labour and its ad agency are incapable of designing an effective poster for their discredited party.
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