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Tuesday, April 17, 2007
A Tale of Two PPBs
These are the Labour and Conservative PPBs which are being shown this week. Do compare and contrast. Labour asks: 'what would you like to say to Gordon and Tony if you met them?'. The Conservative film shows David Cameron meeting real people and actually hearing what they would like to ask him. It shows Cameron at his best. He's totally at ease in any environment and is not afraid to tell people what they don't want to hear. I understand that the film was made by James Fletcher, who made the David Davis documentary on crime last year. He's achieved in the is film what I assume he set out to achieve - to show David Cameron as a good listener and a man of firm views. A very good start.
The most hilarious moment in the Labour broadcast is when Gordon brown gets out of the cab to pay the driver. She tells him the fare is £5, so he hands he some money and says 'keep the change'. So in theory he handed her £10 and gave her a £5 tip. Not exactly prudent was it?!
Not exactly prudent was it?!
ReplyDeleteBut we know he's very generous with other people's money...
I think you've misinterpreted the end of the broadcast. Look at the taxi driver's facial expression; he's clearly just handed her a fiver, and she's thinking, "change? There isn't any, you cheap bastard."
ReplyDeleteYes. That nice Mr Major, he was good at talking to 'real' people too, wasn't he? It's interesting to hear Tories describe people as 'real'.
ReplyDeleteHilarious that the public are supposed to believe that Labour ministers are sat, telathon style, waiting by the phone for people to text in.
ReplyDeleteBlair and Brown couldn't even pretend to look comfortable together in such a confined space for all of 5/6 seconds!
"He's totally at ease in any environment and is not afraid to tell people what they don't want to hear. "
ReplyDeleteA bit like Nadine Dorries then..
Listening is good, but the whole I'm listening to you is what got Blair elected. As a life long tory my problem is that Dave comes across as a "good listener" but he doesnt - or hasnt yet - done much.
ReplyDeleteI still cant help but think of him as a career politican - I know he has worked for Carlton, but working in the media is hardly the real world.
Brown is linked to the past; but I fear that all Dave is is a 1997 Blair.
Actually, I think a lot has to do with the education. Public school boys are in general very at ease with others - 'cos they are taught manners and how to converse. I know this is a reactionary view, but remember - Tony Blair was also at a Public School. Ok not Eton but still a school which insisted on manners, respect and conversation.
ReplyDeleteMaybe by the time Brown had got his hand out of his pocket the fare had increased due to inflation?
ReplyDeleteHere we have the difference between a leader wanting to meet people, and another wanting people to apply for the privilege of meeting him. Some of the Cameron stuff is perhaps a little forced, but at least it shows him interacting with the population. The closest the Labour one gets to that is that horribly fake 'phonebank' shot.
ReplyDeleteThe message of the Conservative one is 'ask our leader questions and tell him what you think'. The message of the Labour one is 'send us a text, and if we decide we like you and think your question is good for PR purposes, you'll be granted the honour of meeting Tony Blair on this throne'.
As a "normal" human being Cameron stands head and shoulders above Brown.
ReplyDeleteIt's really quite vivid to see the two advertisments broadcast together.
ReplyDeleteConservatives = Answers.
Labour = Questions.
Labour = Faceless, Distant, Vacuous.
Conservatives = Up front, in the community, substance.
I didn't think it was possibel, but I actually found the Tory advert interesting and engaging ... really well made ad.
... and yes, I think GB left no tip! The taxi driver is clearly so astonished she is unable to give the cabbie's traditional farewell riposte to such meannness
ReplyDelete...and just WHAT is the taxi driver really thinking. the whole Labour ad is just strange.
ReplyDelete...AND 'Keep the change' !?
ReplyDeleteWhen has Gordon Brown EVER allowed any taxpayer to do that!?
The Conservative one wasn't quite as good as last years in my opinion. I also wouldn't have said that it was Cameron at his best, it may have just been me, but he seemed very aggressive in his responses, and at times almost put words in people's mouths. This way of communicating is good during a debate, but can come acrossas bullying in just a regular conversation.
ReplyDeletethe Labour advert actually had be laughing when they showed the phonebank and talked about "ministers waiting to take your call". Surely if they cared, they'd be going to people's houses without being asked to offer assistance, like all of the Conservative candidates will be over the next few weeks.
I was especially impressed by Mr. Cameron's comments on the "apology" for slavery. I am not sure that the slave trade's legacy demands an increase in aid to sub-Saharan Africa; however, on the whole, his forthright approach was quite refreshing.
ReplyDeleteThe Labour ad was laughable in its artifice. "Ministers standing by . . ." Oh, please.
Anon at 12.26 - It is interesting to hear Conservatives describe people as real, isn't it? Probably because they understand the concept.
ReplyDeleteBetter than hearing us voters described as "ordinary people", as Labour do - obviously meaning they are totally wonderful super people, and we are dirt beneath their feet and not worth considering - except when lying to us at election time.
I wonder how long it will take "Don't Watch That..." to sample the bit where Dave is speaking to the BNP supporter and says "Vote Labour!"
ReplyDeleteAt one point in the Conservative party broadcast, Cameron actually urges a BNP supporter to vote Labour!
ReplyDeleteOf course McAvity doesn't mind leaving a tip. He's on expenses...
ReplyDeleteWas Gordon trying to put on an English accent? His "no" and "keep the change" sounded very strange!
ReplyDeleteHa, ha.
ReplyDeleteA really sad video by a party whose advisors have run out of ideas. They ran a focus group and included all the questions that gave the group warm feelings.
Most cabbies I speak to hate Tony and Gordon, and would like to ask them when they're going to resign.
In the back of the cab Tony and Gordon have put their ties OVER their seat belts - typical stage managed New Labour. Stage managed questions, with stage managed answers.
A couple of old farts in the back of the cab who would probably get beaten up on public transport if they showed their faces.
The only warm feeling these two give is when they p*ss in your pockets.
It was probably a £7 note.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't overly impressed with Cameron in the market, but his broadcast was 100 times better than Labour's rubbish.
ReplyDeleteHow pathetic of Labour. Can't you imagine David Walliams and Matt Lucas taking the piss out of it? Especially when they say "no!" together.
What they are trying to communicate is "we are listening to you," when they aren't and they know the take up rate to text them will be minimal. It is like their Big Conversation. They are also saying "this election result is down to Gordon as well as Tony."
Funny nobody asked a question about Iraq.
Nobody asked a question about pensions.
Nobody asked a question about crime.
Nobody asked about first time buyers.
Isn't this what people are talking about?
I doubt many people will be satisfied with their standard replies on anything they are not prompted to ask where operators will have pre-prepared standard answers, like can Tony Blair juggle?
"Thank you for your question to the Labour Party. Yes Tony has juggled his balls with Peter Mandleson many times. Please remember to vote Labour on May 3rd. We are the listening party"
Ask them if Tony Blair will apologise for getting Campbell to manipulate intelligence and you will find your mobile phone contaminated by crap.
I texted the Labour number and asked a minister "do you really expect us to believe that out of all these supposedly 'real' people, no-one, not one person, asked about Iraq?"
ReplyDeleteDidn't get a reply... hmmph. But I have apparently been signed up to future text message spam. Oh joy.
I must say, I think the Tory was was a slightly slapdash effort, and the content was nothing to do with the slogan at the end. Added to which, Dave was clearly lecturing, not listening.
ReplyDeleteI posted also at 2.14.
ReplyDeleteI just discovered how to add a name! I agree with Chris, I think Cameron came over a bit aggressive and argumentative in the market. Not unlike a posh David Brent.
I hated how he prompted them to answer and reverted to politician. He was too aloof and did not appear sincere and yes he appeared bullying, rather than assertive.
I think that let down the broadcast a lot. I assume he isn't used to speaking to ordinary people like that. He needs to lighten up and mix a bit more with people who don't have a silver spoon in their mouth.
I also wonder if he is a bit of a Diva, if the director or anyone else was not able to
suggest how to get the best out of him. This is the worst performance I've seen from him, although most of the time he came across well. Not a good omen for the future I fear.
King Lear and Ed - Why on earth should one give a cabbie a tip? You told him/her where you wanted to go, the cabbie took you there. The fare is on the meter. That's like saying to a shop assistant from whom you have just purchased something, "Keep the change."
ReplyDeleteIf a cabbie has performed an extra service, then of course, I can see proferring a tip. But to perform the service, as ordered, and then expect "a little something for yourself" is nuts.
I couldn't be bothered to watch the videos because I hate all of them.
I noted the "yoof" who could barely string a sentence together asked if Labour "could give everyone in the world the same education than (sic)Britain."
ReplyDeleteSo after ruining this country's education, Labour intends to ruin other countries'?
With Gordon still struggling to look even vaguely human when he attempts a smile the outcome of the election is a no brainer.The labour effort did provide some unintended amusement though.I am with others on this post at finding the, 'questions' people wanted answering quite bizzare. Had they just landed from planet New Labour,or did a massive amount of editing go on?
ReplyDeleteI think you'll find it was a stealth tip - he gave a £5 note but wanted to get the credit of giving a tip anyway. Bribing people with there own money - that'll be Gordon all right.
ReplyDeleteyou fell for it too - it was a fiver!
ReplyDeleteMaybe he gave her ten dollars (see post below) or perhaps some gold (oops) or possible some tax credits. Whatever it was, her face was thunder.
ReplyDeletecheck out the moment where GB turns to smile at TB who grimaces in return. Truly painful to watch.
ReplyDeleteHe gave her a tip collection form ... to be completed no later than 28 days after delivery. Name, address and Social Security Number must be provided.
ReplyDeleteMinus the administration fee, it turns out the taxi driver actually owed the governemnt £1.47.
The last 35 seconds of the Labour broadcast are (unintentionally) hilarious. Blair's grimace, Brown's strange-voiced tip, and the gurn of resentment on the driver's face. Did Miliband direct this?
ReplyDeleteThe grimacing and the tipping fiasco will go down as absolute classics. We need to see more of this directors work.
ReplyDeleteAre we expected to believe that Gordon said,"No I insist,I'll get this one Tony."
ReplyDeleteGordon can be as flash as he wants with his own money - although I'd hazard a guess and say that his bag carrier rushed over and sorted the change out!
ReplyDeleteHilarious analysis Iain. David Cameron is Robin Hood NOT the Sherrif of Nottingham, Richard Coeur de Lion NOT evil Prince John.
Sunday School Teacher NOT Bullingdon Bully Bullshitter.
We know, we know: Working People are better off with a bunch of Toffs in their Town Halls and even, alas, yes we admit it, in Number 10.
Hurrah! Up School! Up School! Right Up School!
What is the alternative to "real people"?
ReplyDelete"Unreal people" perhaps?
Like most of us who post on this blog...
I hear that Gordon's usual tip is a nine-bob note.
ReplyDeleteAnon.5.17pm. I am a fifties something unemployment statistic whose pension has been f****d. Get any more 'real'for you?
ReplyDeleteMost hilarious moments of the Labour PPB for me?
ReplyDelete1) Two of my fellow LSE Labour Society members uncomfortably posing as people off the street. That's why there were no questions on Iraq etc.
2) The Bowling Club (Labour students in disguise?) droning "LOCAL COMMUNITIES" in unison like communitarian robots. Just about sums up the total lack of ambition for a better, stronger, freer, different society on the Left these days.
3) The patent John Major ambience of it all. Not very edifying for a Labour member.
The Tory ad wasn't exactly pitch-perfect either ("real people") but: it got the job done in terms of getting their councillors' policies across like rent mortgage schemes. Which isn't bad, considering its main purpose was obviously to get Cameron in the public mind before Brown takes over.
Look on the taxi driver's face? Priceless.
I'd say from the look on her face it was most likely a Scottish £1 note
ReplyDeleteConcerns where expressed during the last General Election, that they might not be enough black children in the country for Mrs Blair and the PM to be seen surrounded by for photo opportunities.
ReplyDeleteDavid Cameron is seems to be fitting into the shoes quite well, as the open door immigration policy has increased the supply of photogenic black children to the point that he can also indulge in such opportunities
Cameron must learn to be more relaxed in his manner and to actually listen to people rather than shoot out one of many standard policy answers he has stuffed up his sleeve. Good to see him talk to real people but if he really aspires to be a man of the people it must not appear quite so forced. The Labour ad should have had Catherine Tate's Nan playing the taxi driver - "What a ****ing liberty!"
ReplyDeleteJoseph Cotterill said...
ReplyDeleteThe Tory ad wasn't exactly pitch-perfect either ("real people") but: it got the job done in terms of getting their councillors' policies across like rent mortgage schemes.
I don't want politicians to be pitch perfect, do you? We've had a belly full of that sort of control freaked, spin doctored nonsense with Blair, Broon and nulab.
Showing the 'raw edges' as this video does gives us a much less contrived view of Cameron than we see of the two Blairs, with their perfectly placed ties and artificial smiles.
Cameron doesn't try to mimic, highly polished, Clintonesque mannerisms as most of nulab do. He doesn't do Blair's sadistic little pinches, or Broon's money grabbing fists or his lunatic lectern stroking. He doesn't orgasmically froth at the mouth as he drools over himself as Milband does either - thank God.
So what if Cameron's a bit awkward with teenagers - aren't we all? He could do a bit more listening and less talking, but anyone who's canvassed lots of people will recognise the compulsion to blot out gaps and the tendency to become a bit meaningless and remote controlled as the day wears on. Better to see a bit of nervous gibberish from a real person than the polished delivery of a scripted robot.
Cameron is natural, he can't help himself. He's got his own unique style of being - and that style is partly about the natural awkwardness all tall men have and all shorties envy.
His unscripted, open handed mannerisms tell us all we need to know about him; Cameron is that rare being, an honest man. And he's not going to be like the other politicians just to suit us.
Auntie Flo'
Cameron's video makes Blair and Broon look like two sleazy sales reps by comparison - peddling snake oil.
ReplyDeleteAuntie Flo'
Key difference between the Labour and Conservative broadcasts?
ReplyDeleteLabour use their own activists to "pose" as real people on the streets asking planted questions. (When will they fu*cking learn?)
Conservatives actually speak to normal people on the streets. This is clear by the questions they ask Cameron and their mannerisms and reactions to his (at times a little aggressive, but honest) answers.
After 10 years, Labour have learnt nothing and forgotten nothing.
Total utter bunch of c*nts, the lot of them.
The Labour PPB suffers from the fact that the makers, whilst walking around central London, couldn't find anyone willing to ask positive questions. All the questions from 'real people' were surprisingly negative...what a shock that must have been to the New Labourites. So in were shipped the ever loyal and ambitious Labour Students to roll out inane questions. One wanted to ask Blair "why are you leaving us?" Beggers belief.
ReplyDeleteThe Tory ad was better but looked odd with so many black faces. London isn't Britain - last census had 95% of the population white and British born.
ReplyDeleteIn Scotland the statistic is 97%.
Makes the Tories seem very London-centred