Help Dave with a campaign slogan!
"This is it!" David Cameron declared at the start and end of a political speech at the Carlton Club.
Was the Conservative leader revealing his love of Kenny Loggins' 1979 song of the same name? Was it a nod to Dannii Minogue's 1993 hit, or was he, as some suspect, road testing the Conservatives party's election slogan?
We all know about the power of a pithy sentence which sets out your stall - "Never had it so good", "Labour's not working", "Things can only get better", "It's The Economy, Stupid", the list goes on...
And where would Barack Obama be without "Yes we can"?
But according to a new book about America's First Couple, Mr Obama hated the slogan when it was suggested by David Axelrod and it was actually Michelle Obama who saw its worth and set about persuading her husband to adopt it.
Tonight, our Culture correspodent Stephen Smith will be talking campaign slogans - what makes a good one, what a bad and how the political parties go about choosing theirs.
But before then we want to hear your campaign slogan suggestions for the Conservative Party - can you, like Michelle, spot a diamond in the rough, in short can you help Dave out?
Answers below please...
Comment number 1.
At 25th Sep 2009, Richard E wrote:"Out Of The Frying Pan鈥"
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 25th Sep 2009, James Graham wrote:"Why vote for the lesser evil?"
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 25th Sep 2009, mchlmkklsn wrote:Back to the future
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 25th Sep 2009, barriesingleton wrote:成人论坛 EDGY SLOGAN:
"We believe in Listening."
But somehow it looks absurd when advertising ON TV! Perhaps it needs blurring and some loud music?
Against 'We Believe in Listening', 'This is It' looks quite 'now' (going forward).
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 25th Sep 2009, JunkkMale wrote:'We are not Nu Labour'
It will work, trust me. Sadly.
Furtunately, I live in a county where I don't think Gordon's GOAT herd even bother to try losing their deposit already, so I can ponder more positive alteratives.
Once one becomes apparent that is, which has yet to transpire.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 25th Sep 2009, mtconleyuk wrote:I don't want a bleeding slogan. I don't want a bleeding spin doctor. I don't want a bleeding PR hack.
I want a goddamn Government, and I want people who know what they're doing, and, when they don't, admit it and either change or resign.
I want people who have some modicum of respect for the vast, 2,000-year history and culture of this island, and who don't make ill-thought-out, unworkable changes to its institutions for temporary political gain.
I want people who have respect for the rule of law, for the rights of Man, for the dignity of the peoples of the rest of the world.
I want people who understand that slavish devotion to the adolescent-minded military might of the United States will do nothing but bring devastation and destruction to innocents abroad and retaliation and repression here on this island.
I want people who understand that mankind faces its greatest challenge ever, one that may determine the future of civilisation on this planet.
I don't see any of those people running for office right now. And I despair.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 25th Sep 2009, icewarrior67 wrote:Be sure with the Cons
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 25th Sep 2009, icewarrior67 wrote:All things to all Cons
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)
Comment number 9.
At 25th Sep 2009, CTerry wrote:Cameron doesn't need a slogan, he needs to get down with the kids and start battle rapping Brown at PMQs.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 9)
Comment number 10.
At 25th Sep 2009, barriesingleton wrote:MTCONLEYUK FOR PM!
Now there is a slogan I am pleased to shout. Straight from the heart he defines our malady and - dare I say - calls for CHANGE.
The difference is, he is not constructively taloring his words to beat the other party. HE MEANS IT.
Bravo.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 10)
Comment number 11.
At 25th Sep 2009, bookhimdano wrote:Born to Rule
Better Bred.
Give us your change
Complain about this comment (Comment number 11)
Comment number 12.
At 25th Sep 2009, barriesingleton wrote:GIVE US YOUR CHANGE (#11)
Utterly brillinat Bookhim! It works on so many levels, from Dave's penthouse, all the way to the gutter. Roll that out, and watch it lock down the recovery going forward. Hurrah!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 12)
Comment number 13.
At 25th Sep 2009, trendntl wrote:Out of the EU
Complain about this comment (Comment number 13)
Comment number 14.
At 25th Sep 2009, rxbx2xlove wrote:Surely it has to be:
"Let's get to work"
Complain about this comment (Comment number 14)
Comment number 15.
At 25th Sep 2009, ozzartist wrote:Clean break
Complain about this comment (Comment number 15)
Comment number 16.
At 25th Sep 2009, RealRedLeader wrote:"Darren Brown has Nothing on Us" "We have plans that will make your eyes water"..."Real Tears".."In George You Can Trust".."Goodbye Scotland"
"Tories the real alternative to full employment" There are so many more which would appeal to selfish greedy Tory voters..Thatchers legacy of division may reap a whirlwind of economic distruction if the incompetant Cameron and Gorgious George ever get in..god forbid..were all doomed
Complain about this comment (Comment number 16)
Comment number 17.
At 25th Sep 2009, margaretoxford wrote:Etonians rule OK!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 17)
Comment number 18.
At 25th Sep 2009, margaretoxford wrote:Bully for Bullingdon
Complain about this comment (Comment number 18)
Comment number 19.
At 25th Sep 2009, margaretoxford wrote:Dave and Boris for super larks!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 19)
Comment number 20.
At 25th Sep 2009, twit2001 wrote:"You have nothing to lose except your chains"
Complain about this comment (Comment number 20)
Comment number 21.
At 25th Sep 2009, wholesickcrew wrote:Policy announcement at CCHQ on cuts in public services:
Dave steps forward, sleeves rolled up, and says,
鈥淚鈥檓 a joker for a jest, I play my cards close to my chest, now here鈥檚 some cuts worth revealing, go on Georgie do your dealing!鈥
Then Georgie Porgy, with a straight face, lists a depressing cull in vital services, including hospitals and schools, whilst dressed up in clown's garb with a sad, painted on upside down smile and a dunce's hat. He adds at the end that the price of a salad in the commons bar is now 拢4.50. After much deliberation they also decided that 拢2.10 for a pint is still good value for money for the rate payer.
Here's a to wonderful Tory government.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 21)
Comment number 22.
At 25th Sep 2009, barriesingleton wrote:A SLOGAN FOR OBAMA'S NEW COMPLIANT AMERICA.
When Britain was under a pall, from barbecued beef, we coined 'Open for Business' to try to get holiday punters into the B&Bs - waking up to the smell of fresh-roast.
Now that Magic Obama is doing the: 'all in this together - none are more equal than others' thing, perhaps his next boom should be: 'OPEN FOR INSPECTION'? What greater proof of America's integrity and commitment, if they let Armadinajad's white-coats swarm all over his facilities?
Oh Brave new World . . .
Complain about this comment (Comment number 22)
Comment number 23.
At 25th Sep 2009, petrospot wrote:It's all over now Baby Blue...because it won't last long!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 23)
Comment number 24.
At 25th Sep 2009, BernardW wrote:You could do worse - but you have already!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 24)
Comment number 25.
At 25th Sep 2009, BernardW wrote:Let's keep Britain for the British
That will get 95% of the vote!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 25)
Comment number 26.
At 25th Sep 2009, alaaldin wrote:People not power.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 26)
Comment number 27.
At 25th Sep 2009, cyberjharvey wrote:I'm Right
Complain about this comment (Comment number 27)
Comment number 28.
At 25th Sep 2009, Crowded Island wrote:"No more lies!"
Complain about this comment (Comment number 28)
Comment number 29.
At 25th Sep 2009, Burns252 wrote:鈥淭hese are the times that try men's souls: the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country, but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly. 鈥 鈥楾is dearness only that gives everything its value.鈥
Complain about this comment (Comment number 29)
Comment number 30.
At 25th Sep 2009, johnlilburne wrote:Carry on capitalism.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 30)
Comment number 31.
At 25th Sep 2009, TheManualBat wrote:The [choice here] Party - Taking The Thought Out Of Thinking.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 31)
Comment number 32.
At 25th Sep 2009, tpbeta wrote:Fixing the roof
Complain about this comment (Comment number 32)
Comment number 33.
At 25th Sep 2009, DutchWilliam wrote:Off We Go!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 33)
Comment number 34.
At 25th Sep 2009, SteveAS wrote:The answer was in your last 5 words: can you help Dave out?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 34)
Comment number 35.
At 25th Sep 2009, Burns252 wrote:Hug the delusive phantom of hope
Asylum against anarchy
Slash the canvas
Smite the unbelievers
Be not deaf to the screams of the repentant
Freedom from the pestilential incubus of managerial technocracy
Press not a crown of thorns on the brow of the nation
Weave a golden thread of hope into the hessian of our lives
Complain about this comment (Comment number 35)
Comment number 36.
At 25th Sep 2009, Burns252 wrote:When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 36)
Comment number 37.
At 25th Sep 2009, BrianBarder wrote:Vote Con for the most unkindest cuts of all!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 37)
Comment number 38.
At 25th Sep 2009, P_Dorff wrote:"To help the needy not the greedy"
Complain about this comment (Comment number 38)
Comment number 39.
At 25th Sep 2009, HoldThemToAccount wrote:"Vote Cons, get Cons."
"We're gonna get away with it"
"Remarkably Unchallenged, yet Mentally Challenged"
"Thank God the British voter can't be bothered to think"
"Any more industries left for us to destroy?"
"I deserved a top class education. You lot don't."
"Spin on this".
"Why have competence when you can have personality?"
"(In)Breeding beats Brains"
"Slippery"
"Top-hole chaps in top hats"
"The View from The Top"
"I look down on him..."
Or, if they're looking for inspiration from the great days of British Advertising:
"Go to Work on an Ego"
"You're never alone with dissociative personality disorder"
"Coke is it"
"P-p-pick up a Penguin Suit"
"A glass and half of brains among the bunch of us"
"An ars a day helps you lose your job"
"A million housewives everyday will be promptly back in pre-feminist Britain"
Complain about this comment (Comment number 39)
Comment number 40.
At 25th Sep 2009, seareader wrote:Plain And Straightforward
Complain about this comment (Comment number 40)
Comment number 41.
At 25th Sep 2009, Phil-the corners in wrote:We told you so!!!!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 41)
Comment number 42.
At 25th Sep 2009, seareader wrote:Plain And Straightforward
Complain about this comment (Comment number 42)
Comment number 43.
At 25th Sep 2009, EricTheHalf wrote:Too fly to serve
(or has that been taken?)
Complain about this comment (Comment number 43)
Comment number 44.
At 25th Sep 2009, legendarylocalbore wrote:"There's only one winner!" Geoff Brown, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 44)
Comment number 45.
At 25th Sep 2009, nedafo wrote:Vote for change - from a Labour mess to an Eton mess.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 45)
Comment number 46.
At 25th Sep 2009, mimpromptu wrote:from mimpromptu to Barrie
my bottom hasn't touch yet
I'll think of a possible slogan with my ffurther spins
mim
Complain about this comment (Comment number 46)
Comment number 47.
At 25th Sep 2009, barriesingleton wrote:"YES WE COULD" (One for Barack)
I have just been watching a DVD that carefully analyses the Pentagon strike on 9/11. Magic Obama is going to die of embarrassment when it all unravels. Yes - it was a Bushite scam, but BO is the one who will be asked the killer question. When the world says: "Could America's elite REALLY do this to itself, for political advantage over it's own people, hence military advantage over the world?" he will only be able to answer: "YES WE COULD." When that day comes - I think all the righteous boom will have gone out of him.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 47)
Comment number 48.
At 25th Sep 2009, victoriavandal wrote:Wasn't 'This Is It' an album by The Strokes? You see, you've forgotten them already - they were a heavily-hyped bunch of converse-sneaker-wearing rich kids and the darlings of the same sort of thirtysomething broadsheet journalists who went on to fall at Pete Doherty's feet. The album cover featured a lady's crotch, which they probably thought was very clever. I'm sure David Cameron has a copy, filed next to that Goldfrapp CD everyone had. He certainly had the shoes. They were touted as the Next Big Thing,the new Stones, etc., only they weren't.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 48)
Comment number 49.
At 25th Sep 2009, victoriavandal wrote:Also, like their friends the Countryside Alliance's ill-advised slogan 'the countryside counts', 'this is it' lends itself to quick and easy alteration with a marker pen. I do hope they go with it.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 49)
Comment number 50.
At 25th Sep 2009, The Count wrote:We can deliver it! or We will deliver it! is probably as close to aping Obama without just copying him. A positive sounding phrase that could actually be applied to negative things.
This is it! is rubbish - I immediately thought of Neil Kinnock.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 50)
Comment number 51.
At 25th Sep 2009, dimps8 wrote:How about: MAKE IT HAPPEN?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 51)
Comment number 52.
At 25th Sep 2009, bookhimdano wrote:'Moat for Us'
'The war on terror is in our DNA'
'Stand and Deliver'
Complain about this comment (Comment number 52)
Comment number 53.
At 25th Sep 2009, brijo74 wrote:Give up, go home
Complain about this comment (Comment number 53)
Comment number 54.
At 25th Sep 2009, tonycains wrote:Moat for Us is good - but I prefer 'Vote Moat'
- says it all really and beats getting just a lousy Kit Kat!!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 54)
Comment number 55.
At 25th Sep 2009, tonycains wrote:Alternatively, 'Don't mention the Policies!' sounds reminiscent of Fawlty Towers - which I suppose is a fair summation of how Cameron, Osborne and Boris plan to govern - especially when they tried to hide the corpse!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 55)
Comment number 56.
At 25th Sep 2009, bookhimdano wrote:'we've got piles'
comedy was much better under the tories. that feeling of being under occupation by a foreign power tends to sharpen up the wit.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 56)
Comment number 57.
At 25th Sep 2009, mimpromptu wrote:from mimpromptu
The only thing I can think of would be something to do with kids,
like for example 'Better future for the/our kids' or 'Let's pull together for our kids', something to this effect, anyway
Complain about this comment (Comment number 57)
Comment number 58.
At 25th Sep 2009, Simon wrote:"EU'r wish is my command, President Blair"
Complain about this comment (Comment number 58)
Comment number 59.
At 25th Sep 2009, epeolatrist wrote:"The Conservatives- become if we don't hate ordinary people, who will?"
"Fed up with New Labour? With neo-liberal, reckless economic policies and a Thatcherite mindset? With warmongering, pro-nuclear, self-serving hypocrites and liars? Then vote...oh hang on..."
Complain about this comment (Comment number 59)
Comment number 60.
At 25th Sep 2009, tonycains wrote:I know what slogan should be used against the Tories -
"Opportunity not privilege"
Complain about this comment (Comment number 60)
Comment number 61.
At 25th Sep 2009, sheldrake12 wrote:WE THINK THEREFORE WE ARE
Complain about this comment (Comment number 61)
Comment number 62.
At 25th Sep 2009, sheldrake12 wrote:A COMMENT MADE BY BY LOUIS DESCARTE 'I THINK THEREFORE I AM' MODIFIED IN THE PLURAL!!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 62)
Comment number 63.
At 25th Sep 2009, tonycains wrote:I have just seen Daniel Hannan on Newsnight - perhaps the Tories would consider adopting "Let us speak long enough and we will make you sick."
"Hang Daniel Hannan" would win a few votes and put him out of his misery..
Complain about this comment (Comment number 63)
Comment number 64.
At 25th Sep 2009, tonycains wrote:PS - given the Tories track record on electing vote-winning party leaders in recent times how about they campaign with the slogan "This one isn't a slaphead."
Complain about this comment (Comment number 64)
Comment number 65.
At 25th Sep 2009, JadedJean wrote:"We're anarchists, just like the Lib-Dems and New Labour. You have no real choice, so vote for us. We have a nicer logo! A tree!"
Complain about this comment (Comment number 65)
Comment number 66.
At 25th Sep 2009, barriesingleton wrote:UPWARD DECLINE IS NOT ACHIEVABLE - EVEN BY DELUDED CHRISTIANS.
What an unholy mess. Obama wants to be 'Super Obama' and the rest all want to be Obama! It is all so primitive. Individual maturity is in decline, right across the planet, while 'leaders' are focused on education - education in the narrow sense of preparation for production and consumption, i.e. MAMMON.
And what is so special about Obama? Take away the height, the dual-purpose tint, the boom, the charisma, and what is left? A man who has been funded into leadership whence he PREACHES (oh he certainly has a dream today!) cooperation and deference; but a man who will not be telling what America has up THEIR sleeve any time soon. Nor will he be inviting inspections by other nations - the FIRST act of humility, collaboration and deference. Until we get leaders who yearn to give the gift of contentment and maturity to each individual, universal suffrage will always be manipulated by these driven, unscrupulous gottabes, who get voted in by pathetic, embryonic masses of dupes and acolytes. It is a cycle that will not be broken while 'G' stands for 'GULLIBLE'; no matter whether the suffix be '8', '20', or '8 times 20'.
There is an irony that, back in 'history' (a constant theme of Obama's) the Native American seems to have had considerable wisdom and a sustainable lifestyle. Yet, in Obama's inauguration speech, they got no mention. Someone on this forum suggested that a Native American should be made President - a poignant thought - a telling symbol. Somehow I do not think it was any accident that Obama missed them off his list. The old spirits call all too loudly for him to do justice. But justice is much harder than school, trade and ever-expanding growth, so the spirits can go hang. And, anyway, what would a trained lawyer want with justice?
G 20 is no door to sunlit uplands. It is just another game of sterile Globopoly for an elite few, who have no sleep-invading concept of the anguish of this planet, nor yet any acumen to address it - if they had.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 66)
Comment number 67.
At 26th Sep 2009, Icious wrote:We know what we're going to do - But we're not telling you!
or
The Conservative party - When we're in, we'll fill you in!
or
Blair spun and won - were spinning and winning!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 67)
Comment number 68.
At 26th Sep 2009, TallisAnne wrote:Thish ish it
Complain about this comment (Comment number 68)
Comment number 69.
At 26th Sep 2009, TallisAnne wrote:Yes, We Con
Complain about this comment (Comment number 69)
Comment number 70.
At 26th Sep 2009, captainfreebird wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 70)
Comment number 71.
At 26th Sep 2009, radioactiveGoatsrus wrote:The cons owe Ed Balls a debt of gratitude for all the damage he has wreaked on the Labour Party re cuts in Education ......
so
'3 cheers for Ed Balls, Conservatives rule OK'
Complain about this comment (Comment number 71)
Comment number 72.
At 26th Sep 2009, captainfreebird wrote:Damn your profanity filter!!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 72)
Comment number 73.
At 26th Sep 2009, captainfreebird wrote:Vote conservative....you'll get no bullingdon from us!!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 73)
Comment number 74.
At 26th Sep 2009, GavBelcher wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 74)
Comment number 75.
At 26th Sep 2009, bookhimdano wrote:try the slogan generator
Complain about this comment (Comment number 75)
Comment number 76.
At 27th Sep 2009, JunkkMale wrote:Having just watched the latest outing from the PM on the Andrew Marr show, on top of the rest of the GOAT herd's greatest hits of late, the Conservatives could do a lot worse just to run 成人论坛 interviews of Labour cabinet ministers... um... telling us what we want.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 76)
Comment number 77.
At 27th Sep 2009, Mistress76uk wrote:Bookhimdano - nice one!
How about HisTory :p
Complain about this comment (Comment number 77)
Comment number 78.
At 27th Sep 2009, DAVE wrote:The new slogan should be:
We are NOT New Labour
Complain about this comment (Comment number 78)
Comment number 79.
At 28th Sep 2009, nicholasmills wrote:"We will end the workingsmans blues!!!!!!!!!"
Maybe they should adopt dylans lyrics.
Now I'm down on my luck and I'm black and blue
Gonna give you another chance
I'm all alone and I'm expecting you
To lead me off in a cheerful dance
Got a brand new suit and a brand new wife
I can live on rice and beans
Some people never worked a day in their life
Don't know what work even means
Complain about this comment (Comment number 79)
Comment number 80.
At 28th Sep 2009, PACMAN001 wrote:"The Campaign for political disarmament.
Taxpayer payer first then Tory"
Complain about this comment (Comment number 80)
Comment number 81.
At 28th Sep 2009, The Count wrote:The Strokes album was Is This It, not This Is It
However rather fantastically the new Michael Jackson film is called This Is It
Complain about this comment (Comment number 81)
Comment number 82.
At 28th Sep 2009, sarah_nb wrote:Tory, Tory, Hallelujah!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 82)
Comment number 83.
At 28th Sep 2009, sarah_nb wrote:Blue is the new Brown
Complain about this comment (Comment number 83)
Comment number 84.
At 28th Sep 2009, AniciaBard wrote:Deeds not words!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 84)
Comment number 85.
At 28th Sep 2009, Strugglingtostaycalm wrote:"Let's Not Bang on About Europe."
Complain about this comment (Comment number 85)
Comment number 86.
At 29th Sep 2009, jeznowhouse wrote:Noone gone with "all mod cons" yet? No? Well here you are then.
btw, utterly agree with barriesingleton, but until the apocalypse let's party (responsibly, naturally)...
Complain about this comment (Comment number 86)
Comment number 87.
At 5th Oct 2009, dennisjunior1 wrote:Sarah,
Back to the future...
~Dennis Junior~
Complain about this comment (Comment number 87)