The bombardment of literature from the various political parties, all vying for our precious votes, is deeply depressing. I had a local conservative candidate ring at my doorbell the other day asking, “Can I rely on your support?” I pointed out that this was the first time that I had laid eyes on him or any other candidate for ten years. But here he was on my doorstep ready and eager to answer any pressing questions I might have.
Being in a rural area he no doubt hoped that I had a view about fox hunting, local transport or the plight of the farmer etc. But instead I asked what was his party going to do about the arts in schools? A long silence was followed by a rather bumbley response, “ Err well, we err – do of course believe in the arts and err we – Look if you could give me your email address I’ll send you the relevant section from our manifesto – can’t quite remember the detail, but I’m sure it will answer your question”. With that he left. I never got the e-mail. It got me thinking about the way in which the various parties are promoting themselves through design or I should say the lack of it.
When New Labour came to power under Tony Blair I was delighted to receive an invitation to 10 Downing Street – one of a number parties organised to recognise and celebrate the ‘creative industries’. At the one I attended Tony Blair stood on a little box in order to rise above the alcohol fueled hubbub of the room to deliver a personal thank you for all that we designers had done in our respective creative fields.
I along with many of my design colleagues were rather heartened by this, believing that here was a government that were at last going to embrace our world. In the event the phrase ‘ Cool Britannia’ was quickly coined by the press, rapidly followed by the Tories aiming their stiletto with the retort, ‘Style over substance’. Shortly after that was administered and amplified by the media at large. The relationship with the creative community was quietly swept under the carpet. We all dutifully went back to our respective worlds as if nothing had happened.
I find it extraordinary that in our 21st century all of our political parties are still producing such appalling promotional material. The copy treats us like simpletons with a diet of platitudes and simplistic slogans – ‘Together we can change’ (Conservative) 'A future fair for all’ (Labour) and ‘Change that works for you – Building a fairer Britain’. Note that last one from the Liberal party manages to shoehorn both ‘change’ and ‘Fairer’. I snapped this dire promotion poster the other day…
The apex of creativity?
I am watching the television debates with interest, and have been mesmerised by the hand gestures. Have you notice them? All classic presentation skill clichés…
And the master (call me Tony) of the hand jive.
And then there’s the, ‘I’m just like you’ scenario – ‘Let’s have a cup of tea and I’ll listen to your problems’, flanked by an entourage of media cameras to capture the deep sincerity in glorious close up.
And the tie off and shirtsleeves is another ‘man of the people’ spin-doctors ploy...
And of course babies to demonstrate the caring softer side of these hard nosed politicians…
But then again what a politician may say in public - ' You're a good woman'...
is not often the reality of what they say in private - 'bigoted woman'.
While this entire campaigning hullabaloo is going I have a sneaking suspicion that there are members of Parliament quietly lobbying to dilute Sir Thomas Legg’s recommendations re. the expenses scandal. We all know that power corrupts but in the world of politics it appears to be a positive sport. I know the respective leaders have told us that Parliament will be cleaned up but somehow I fear it will only be on the surface.
Meanwhile thank God for those who subvert these bland messages to give as some light relief...
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