Our only “post” yesterday was a huge pile of household delivery items from the various parties standing in Glasgow. I’ve not got around to reading them yet, other than to flick through and see which parties are represented. Seems most of them are, but only the SNP and Labour have so far knocked on our door (that I’m aware of). No surprise given they’re fighting hard for the Govan constituency.
Sadly, most of the leaflets yesterday are rather poor affairs. Nothing really jumps out, it’s all LARGE SHOUTY CAPITALS, occasional smiling pictures, or piles of text. I’m fascinated by politics, and plan to read most of them when I get time, but I wouldn’t be surprised if most people simply bin them. I’m really not sure it’s an effective campaigning tactic, but I suppose it’s one of the few means of communication available to every constituent.
Similarly the street signs at road junctions have been appearing over the last couple of weeks. A drive along Haggs road and Dumbreck road, and it’s the SNP with their luminous banners that seem to be most visible. A few Solidarity ones, a few Conservative, SSP. Again, not sure it’s an effective campaigning tactic. I’ve become immune to them - perhaps even rather averse to them. Does it really make much of a difference, other than to simply build ‘brand awareness’ in less irritable people than me?
I much prefer the French and German (perhaps general continental European?) approach that I was reminded of when I visited Duesseldorf in Germany, and have seen used in the recent French presidential first round vote. They have specific locations, with dedicated boards that political parties are able to stick their adverts on. One board per party in each location. It cuts down on the ‘clutter’ we seem to be getting, and is presumably managed by the local authority so they’re cleared away (rather than relying on volunteers to go around and take them down). It’s all so much more civilised and far less intrusive. Probably more informative too. Rather than shouting “Vote for ME!”, it allows space for banners and statements, and an equal footing for all.
That said we were over in North Berwick recently. I didn’t notice any banners on street corners, or anything overt. Frances noticed a few, but it was certainly much more restrained over there than here in Glasgow. Strange. I wonder if it’s a safe seat, or that the residents and political parties have come to some accord…
April 25th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Some Councils don’t allow lamp-post posters at all (Aberdeen being one). This makes for some more creative campaigning (supplying supporters with window posters for example), but I think that approach doesn’t help raise awareness of the election being on. Most folk seeing the posters might get some hint that there’s an election coming up, without them we’re dependent on people finding out for themselves or actually reading a leaflet!