CCHQ must be nursing the political equivalent of a red wine hangover. After a botched launch of their “Broken Britain” report (decimal points not included) segued seamlessly into another round of poster pisstakes this week, Conservatives awake this morning to the news that a YouGov poll puts them just 7 points ahead of Labour and 20 seats short of a majority. Even The Spectator is now passing comment on the number of “unforced errors” coming out of the Conservative campaign.
Following on from a gigantic 370-post “make your own David Cameron poster” thread on Mumsnet, yesterday evening provided yet more evidence that the left’s online attacks are gaining traction outside of the usual blogosphere/Twitter circles or even the watering holes of Westminster. Mock The Week, well, mocked Steve Hilton’s latest efforts for a whole two minutes and it was absolutely hilarious:
To over-simplify an argument made in The Independent this week:
Are the Tories going to kill the campaign poster?
Richard says:
Are the Tories going to kill the campaign poster?
No, because of advertising association. More people have now seen or heard of the posters than would have done if they hadn’t been spoofed. The original poster has now been seen by millions on Mock the Week and… shock horror, other people are spoofing it. What rational person bases their opinion of one party on what the opposition say about that party?
It’s great PR and humour sticks in the mind for longer than a simple campaign message.
Are you jealous that Labour can’t even afford it’s own posters?
Shamik Das says:
Brilliant!!
Methinks Richard to get out more…
JonnieMarbles says:
The “all publicity is good publicity” argument doesn’t work in this case. Political parties are a very unique product, and mockery is complete anathema to them. Nobody wants to vote for someone who is being made fun of. Additionally, whereas in other spheres the “exposure” would more than counterbalance the mockery, I imagine the Conservatives have already reached brand saturation amongst people who will bother to vote.
Political Scrapbook says:
Jonnie is right. If Richard’s “all publicity is good publicity” argument held up, why did the Tories change tact after the first (airbrushed) poster?
Carl Eve says:
Re: the “all publicity is good publicity” theory…
I recall a man holding a banana.
I think that disproves the theory.
(I’ve never voted Tory before, but like you, I’ve had nightmares involving me, David Cameron and a ballot box)
Red Rag says:
The Tories poster campaign is having a fantastic effect, now where did that double digit lead go?
tom says:
“I never voted tory before, but ill try anything once, thats why im addicated to crystal meth” – probably the best one there. My david cameron have said they wont be satirising the next tory poster, knowing its had its day. Still, this hasnt stopped both parties from starting their own p-poor fake poster sites. What will be next? The posters have already been turned into a 3d game (http://www.politicalgaming.com) and other copy sites are springing up.