Tuesday, 3 December 2019

Election Posters of the 1970s

Of all the 304 general elections that were held in the UK during the 1970s, these three election posters for the Conservative party are among the few campaign materials that are still extant. This is largely due to the fact that campaign slogans were more often compulsorily tattooed onto ailing citizens who collected welfare benefits.*

All promotional literature was designed and printed by the Scarfolk Advertising Agency, who, it was later revealed to the surprise of all clients concerned, had been working not only for the Conservative, but also the Labour and Liberal Parties.

Furthermore, the agency cleverly maximised its profits by selling exactly the same poster designs to all clients. Only the party name was changed. This made it difficult for voters to decide who to vote for, but it also confused politicians who became unsure which party they belonged to.





*See also: ‘Trampvertising’.

Further reading: 'Watch Out! There's a Politician About' (1975), 'Voting isn't Working' election poster, 'Democracy Rationing', 'Put Old People Down at Birth' election pamphlet.

4 comments:

  1. I have just stumbled across your blog whilst waiting around in the foyer of the Wales Millennium Centre with nothing to do but surf the net in an aimless fashion. I have to say, you have created a work of genius and I look forward to coming back to Scarfolk.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Remember to have your rabies shots.

      Delete
    2. D'ya mean to say that you're not LOCAL?? This is a local town for local people,We'll have No trouble here!Can you not read the sign? No dogs,No foreigners! I'll warrant that you haven't even had your rabies shot either!

      Delete