Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Some people are very concerned about the role the wives are playing on the campaign trail. Today, on day one of the new official trail in the most super animated election in many years, both leading parties forefronted their leader's wives. Mrs Brown and Mrs Cameron, the wives in question, were shoved unceremoniously into the hi- media spotlight today, smiles already polished to max performance levels.
Old stager long in the tooth politicos like Ming Campbell, are uneasy at this development, as are many others. "Its Americanised!" cry some, but then Tony Blair was the first with the Americanisation and look what it did for him, three wins in a row with massive majority, no dithering half hearted hung parliaments for him.
The fallout of course is that they are all trying it now. So be prepared for a long campaign where the smile wins more than the policy. The ladies will be featured on TV sofas and Womens magazines and with ne'er a policy mentioned.
It emphasises how much we all love the image more than the substance these days. However throw a little bit of palatable substance into the PR mix and you might just win the day.
So from today it is very much the battle of the wives, every bit as much as the battle of the leaders.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
rather a depressing scenario there.
even on sky news a few minutes ago they were rattling on about nick clegg and how little they knew about his wife and family.
personally, i have no interest in any of their family lives, it is what they would do in the daytime job at no.10 that matters.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Here we are with a picture of the Prime Ministers wife..much photographed and now hi-profile media figure. Dont have a pic of Mrs Cameron as yet but standby yer beds..
I think Mrs T also won three straight election victories, and that despite a hubby from the Prince Philip School of Diplomacy. Tony B Liar's missus was just a plain scouser wiho had a drunk for a father.
But, are we interested in all that? Not really.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
If you note here that Mrs Cameron has only recently been mobilised. This is because research and indeed the polls themselves have shown a fall in interest in the Conservatives. Where once they had the election sown up..on paper, nobody gave Labour a cats chance in hell at one time if you remember. But once the polls narrowed alarmingly, it was a question of mobilising all possible options for the Tories. Mrs Brown had already been mobilised. There is no doubt that the motivation here for both parties is the urge to get the womens vote onboard. A huge force which can make all the difference at the end of the day..women relate primarily to each other in times like this. For example all the women I know where rooting for Hillary Clinton a short time back...that gives you the idea as to why.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i seem to remember neil kinnock used his missus for photoshoots, usually holding hands and grinning inanely at each other, was that when it all started?
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
I don't agree with this wives stuff.
whilst blair won 3 elections we also saw the day the press went to 10 downing street and cherie blair opened the door hair unkept just out of bed, so there is the down side.
In my 25 years i kept my family away from the spotlight
didnt stop press attacking me
well not all the press
Any way I predicted 9 months ago a hung parlianment everyone poo pood it
now its becoming a reality.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
My wife plays a big part in my life and she is also helping me alot with my Campaign,and supports me all the time,she is a great lady.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
never doubted it vic
I agree with you Keith, keep the wives and family out of it. As for Hilary, that was a combination of two things:
1. Sympathy vote for the 'wronged' woman.
2. Everyone knew Bill had no brains and she was the 'power behind the throne'.
If 'female power' was as Paul alluded, then Barack Obama would have come second, heck he is a bloke and a negro and she still couldn't beat him.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Alas they the wives wont be staying out of it Im afraid. The point I was making is that if you can capture the general bulk of the floating female vote on top of say your normal vote, then you have it captured..you win. Thats why its happening.
On Newsnight last night however Paxman was dismissive on the wives inclusion..."its like having a cuddly toy but with a pulse" says Paxman, which Im sure wont go down too well with women generally, but then inquisitor Paxman isnt standing.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
I just like my wife with me even if she just,s sits in the car when I go round she is always smiling so great.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
What a lpot of rubbish is being spouted here .You vote for the policies not the spouse .I respect Keith never pushed his lovely lady into the limelight .I suppose Im the independant sort I manage very well on my own .
My late husband was a lovely man but he was not my prop .
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Dennis stayed in the background but would often accompany Mrs T as a supportive husband. We live in a different, not better, age.
Guest 663- Registered: 20 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,136
Sue I understand what you are saying but I think if the man in my life was fighting for the top job, or any job that he wished to do I would have to support him and and that would be the case if it were the other way around.
But then thats their decision they choose to be out on the campaign trail and who knows in some cases it may just tip somebodies thinking.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
surely it should be all about the individual named on the ballot slip?
any support from wives/husbands does not have to involve photocalls.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
I can see the likes of 'Ladies' TV programmes aka 'Loose Women' going the wives route, as PaulB said beforehand that a lot of women will vote that way. It will be a case of the PR machine moving into overdrive, unfortunately 'Girl Power' not politics come into play, it's the way of the world.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Well as I said me and Lesley love being with each other 24/7.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
and i still remain unconvinced
What a load of tosh these men type. Famous or not its the women in thier lives who have to listen to the moaning and groaning and i expect every so often get their opinions listened to yet still should be kept out of the spot light . Remember guys the saying behind every great man stands an even better woman!
email: dover7@msn.com