Politics and Advertising

[lupestripe]

Obviously there is a link between electioneering and advertising - after all, politicians are trying to appeal to as many people as possible to vote for them. But should there be subtle differences in how this is done. I have noticed that in this election campaign, the increasing rise of celebrity and fear that people will vote not for issues of intrinsic importance but because x, y, z is backing a particular party. I think this makes a mockery out of politics.

The other thing I have noticed is that the Tories seem to be getting a far easier time of things from the press than Labour and the Lib Dems are. With the polls so narrow in terms of predicting a hung parliament or a Tory majority, I am unsure about whether there is any fairness and balance in the media whatsoever. The negative parts of the Tory manifesto (and there are lots) have not been picked over whereas they have been with the other two parties. I wonder if this election is being controlled by media moguls and executives somewhere.

At least the televised debates will provide some access to the public. I can see how they will improve things from a voter turnout point of view but fear that condensing five years of politics down to three short debates will somehow result in a disingenuous representation of the current circumstances in this country.

The debates will certainly be interesting but I may have to miss them due to being at work. I'll try and tune in if I can. My mind is pretty much made up on my voting preferences although I have made it no secret that I wish for there to be a hung parliament. As I have said all along, Gordon and Dave both strike fear in my heart for different reasons. Luckily I am in one of the Tories target seats so my vote may actually mean something this year. Doesn't mean I'll be voting for them though - there is far too much I vehemently disagree with in thier manifesto for me to even consider that option. And the prospect of Gordon? *shudder*. This year my vote is going to have to be extremely calculated.

Comments

[avon-deer.livejournal.com]

I think this makes a mockery out of politics.

So does lack of any real detailed policies, but that's not stopped the big three.

I wonder if this election is being controlled by media moguls and executives somewhere.

I wonder...

My constituency has moved this year. I am now in Hemsworth which is just as safe a Labour seat as Wakefield. My neighbour has already told me his voting intentions involve dropping his trousers and "marking his cross" with something other than the provided pencil. I probably won't go that far as I have a convention to attend on the 7th, and it's hard to attend conventions from the inside of a cell. However his feelings are understandble, and I myself will be merely going through the motions on the day.

[alexf0x.livejournal.com]

Murdoc...

Greasy Aussie bastard almost runs governments the way that he wants. I hate that man, sky, fox news, the sun newspaper and everything else.

And I was thinking about the soiled vote idea too, it's tempting seeing what little we've got to choose from this time around.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Yep, my opprobrium for Murdoch is quite high as well.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I think if we can get a three party system and a hung parliament, it will be healthy for our democracy. This is what I am hoping for at this election. More debate and more transparency in politics would be a start and although it won't be ideal in the short term, it would represent a step in the right direction I feel.

[simbab.livejournal.com]

The other thing I have noticed is that the Tories seem to be getting a far easier time of things from the press than Labour and the Lib Dems are.

Welcome to America circa 1980. The press was blinded by Ronnie Raygun and their boner for Republicans has yet to soften.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

This is the worry - oligarchs controlling the press and influencing elections. It's one of the things that happened in 1997.

[rma-reborn.livejournal.com]

If you think the press are giving the Tories an easy ride, you should read the Independent today, where they pick lumps out of the Tory manifesto :P

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

It has become very interesting, hasn't it?

[rma-reborn.livejournal.com]

It really has - the Liberal surge has focused minds in both Labour and the Tories, and it's quite fun to see them desperately trying to work out a plan to deal with the surge, without closing themselves off in the event of a hung Parliament. The Lib Dems now have to concentrate that vote in winnable seats to cause trouble, especially in places like London suburbs/commuter towns, the South West and northern suburbs, where they can win seats from both parties and really build up a strong position.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I do fear the Lib Dems may have peaked too early. Whilst all the signs are good, there are still two debates left and Europe and International affairs, as you admit, is where the Lib Dems have a battle on their hands in order to convince the hearts and minds of the voters. Still, if they can keep this up, we will get a hung parliament, which would be interesting.

[slinkat.livejournal.com]

I think Labour are always going to take more heat as the incumbent. You can look at the LibDem and Tory manifestos and think "hmm, well that's not a very good idea" or "yes, that sounds reasonable", but there's nothing to measure them against. With Labour, any manifesto promise will immediately be judged against the previous 13 years, so even if it contains lots of generally sensible policies, the response is always going to lean towards "so what were you doing for the previous 13 years?". Couple that with Brown's lack of popularity, Labour seeming to be the worst expense offenders and any manner of other issues, and you can see why they get more flak. There are always going to be media agendas - the Guardian and Torygraph will always be in opposite camps, but the tabloids will go with whoever has the most popularity, as their only real agenda is "sell more papers". Don't forget they were all heavily pro-Blair in 1997. Also consider "the media" is far more decentralised these days, as it's no longer just the papers. The tabloids are fighting for a decreasing market, what with blogs and aggregation, so they're more likely to go with popular opinion to sell papers.

People may think otherwise, but I'm far from a rabid Tory. I know who I won't be voting for, that's for sure, but there are still some issues that I'm undecided on. I'm ideologically opposed to Big Government, surveillance, entitlement culture and the nanny state, so recent Tory noises regarding "Big Society" sit quite well with me, as they're very similar to the Open Source model, but there are still little issues I'm not sure about. The LibDems have a real trump card in Vince Cable, but will he come into play? Interesting stuff.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

If the best the Tories can come up with is we are not Gordon Brown then I think it shows how superficial they are. The thing is, there is very little in the Tory manifesto that I do find reasonable. They seem to want to send this country back to the Eighties. The 1880s.

I wonder if papers win elections or elections dictate papers. It's sad that finances have so much sway but I guess that's the nature of capitalism. Certainly the first TV debate has made things interesting.

[stuart-otterson.livejournal.com]

"At least the televised debates will provide some access to the public. I can see how they will improve things from a voter turnout point of view but fear that condensing five years of politics down to three short debates will somehow result in a disingenuous representation of the current circumstances in this country."

That latter point is why I've personally been indifferent to the idea of a TV debate, I suppose it has merits but I've generally never felt we should think of it as important as the US seems to give theirs. Judging a candidate on a live performance doesn't sit well with me.

Besides we're meant to be a hip country, we should be doing the debate over youtube or twitter or something, not over the idiot's lantern, that's so noughties lol.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

We have MumsNet - that seems to be the place of choice. Either way, the televised debates certainly look like they have smashed through the balance of power that has been traditionally held. If we do get a three party system, that will only be good for democracy.

[stuart-otterson.livejournal.com]

Yeah, since I posted that it seems according to polls (to be taken with a pitch of MSG) that things have shifted.

I was actually talking about this with my furry housemate today in the kitchen. I do get wound up by people who tactically vote, primarily Lib Dem supporters and sympathisers. Whenever I hear a comment along the lines of 'I would vote for them but I want so and so out so I'll vote this', or 'I would but it would be a wasted vote as they won't win' makes me roll my eyes.

I can appreciate the pragmatism, but look what's now happened! There's a tv debate, the apparent perception is Mr Clegg did well and suddenly those same Lib Dem supporters are now saying in the polls they'll vote for him just because other people have changed their tune! I take a step back and I see so many things that make me laugh it's unreal. It's amazing what public perception and word of mouth can do.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Very true but I guess the main thing to remember is that there are still two debates left. A lot can change in the next fortnight so we will see how the ground lies then. Hopefully, the Lib Dems can keep this charge up though - anything to stop Cameron gaining a majority.

[stuart-otterson.livejournal.com]

As long as we still have Scotland by the end of all this, it's all gravy. :)

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Scotland? Hmm, not too fussed whether we have Scotland or not really. I guess the oil may come in handy though.