Election etc

I've already made my mind up where my allegiance lies in terms of the parties (though to be honest, it's less a case of liking this particular party than finding them the least objectionable), but I'm going to attempt to be objective and see who's campaign is most persuasive. Still, I doubt I'll manage to purge my prejudice against the Tories entirely.

I may even add a poll to the sidebar to see how you guys would vote (assuming party policies are important, not individual MPs. Because we all vote for our individual MPs. Yeah?).


Exhibit A: Tories poster was up- only for a few days oddly enough, on my way home. The billboard had a picture of a young, black woman (as opposed to typical Tory voter: old white man, obvs) "I've never voted Conservative before... but we have to mend our broken society,"


Made me wonder exactly when our society was 'whole'. When was this golden period of harmony exactly? Does Cameron expect us to believe that somewhere between the Iron Lady and the Grey Man there was a utopian Britain with perfect little family units and no violent crime/drugs/rape/poverty/war/political unease? Soz, Dave, I must've blinked there and missed it.


Tories get props for being prompt and classy in their presentation, but came off as arrogant.

4/10.


Exhibit B: Much impressed by a Labour footsoldier showing up at the door, smiling at the end of what must have been near the end of a very trying afternoon. He gave us a card, introducing us to our candidate (who we actually know), but was a little underinformed on specific policies when I quizzed him, before assuring him that as far as I knew, we were a pretty safe Labour household anyway.


Personal touch impressed me, though the leaflet was really quite basic. 6.5/1o.


Exhibit C: CamSam pregnancy. Genuine accident or clever electioneering scam? I am genuinely not certain- I like to think that Cameron isn't quite that devious, but who knows with politicians? Couple this with the bags under GB'es eyes these days, and I'm sure pretty the Prime Minister is packing viagra and going at it with his wife every spare second to try and get a Scotch bun cooking in that oven of hers. I'm giving Labour a point for this, since the image makes me feel intensely sorry for Mrs Brown.


Lie back, Sarah dear, and think of England.


Exhibit C: Saw a very petty poster poking fun at GB (presumably) from the Tories. Typical gormless pic and something along the lines of "I let down x number of pensioners. Vote for me!"

It's not so much the pettiness that disappoints me (Labour got rather nasty in 2005 as I recall, and surely will this time too) so much as the manner in which this poster was done. It was a cheap shot from a party which really should be able to afford better (what else is the bank of Ashcroft for?). It could have been designed by a child. Or worse, a student. Where's the style? Where's the panache? Pettiness like that, particularly post expenses scandal, not only leaves me cold but also ignites the mile-wide contrary streak inside me that makes me want to simply spoil a ballot paper out of spite.

-1/10- this poster did nothing to endear me to their cause. Cheap and nasty cuts no ice with me. Cammie, spend some money, then we'll talk.



Nothing from the Lib Dems yet, unfortunately. Still, in my constituency the Tories are the only ones who have thrown their hats into the ring properly, so kudos to them!


P.S. I can't quite recall what my constituency's majority is like- but I do remember that my my MP (Tory) who is standing for re election, has quite an appalling record at actually turning up at votes. I have no sympathy for him- Westminster is, what, 45 minutes away from his house on the Tube?