Before 2010 had even got out of bed the election speculation began. With only five or six months before the event, and with very little actual information to report, is it possible that the PR machine could have stayed in hibernation just a little longer?
Despite the blindingly complicated web that statisticians seem singularly able to weave it is undeniable that the last general election had an appallingly low turnout. So if less than 60% of us are going to vote anyway and a proportion of those people will make their decision on something other than policy (“I was going to vote for him but he was on the telly wearing brogues, with tassels”). I’m starting to wander what the point of all this spin is.
There must be a point at which even the most politically conscientious of us reach saturation point, and as surely as a candy floss fuelled child on the waltzers for the fourth time in a row, too much spin will make you sick.
So, from my newly founded ‘less is more’ school of Public Relations (East Midlands Branch), here’s how I think this might work better:
Decide on a date now, just choose one, we don’t mind when.
Fill your news papers and news programmes with NEWS (we’d even quite like to see the light hearted bits at the end again please).
Two weeks before the election all media to produce a yes / no checklist covering all the policies e.g. will my local A&E close - yes / no.
Don’t show me the footwear of any of the candidates – ever.
Despite the blindingly complicated web that statisticians seem singularly able to weave it is undeniable that the last general election had an appallingly low turnout. So if less than 60% of us are going to vote anyway and a proportion of those people will make their decision on something other than policy (“I was going to vote for him but he was on the telly wearing brogues, with tassels”). I’m starting to wander what the point of all this spin is.
There must be a point at which even the most politically conscientious of us reach saturation point, and as surely as a candy floss fuelled child on the waltzers for the fourth time in a row, too much spin will make you sick.
So, from my newly founded ‘less is more’ school of Public Relations (East Midlands Branch), here’s how I think this might work better:
Decide on a date now, just choose one, we don’t mind when.
Fill your news papers and news programmes with NEWS (we’d even quite like to see the light hearted bits at the end again please).
Two weeks before the election all media to produce a yes / no checklist covering all the policies e.g. will my local A&E close - yes / no.
Don’t show me the footwear of any of the candidates – ever.
