Open Road

Thursday May 21st 2009

Two weeks until the European elections, so why is no one talking about Europe?

Did anyone say Europe? Labour and the Tories certainly aren’t saying much about it. Aside from the Tories’ call for a referendum on the Lisbon treaty, the ‘online campaigns’ of both parties ahead of the European Parliamentary elections are disappointing. There is basically no use of social media, little information on European party activities and no connection between local and national campaigning efforts. In fact, the campaigns are very offline and everything seems to be centred on the good old political election broadcast. So, what do these PEBs say?

Labour is scaremongering that the Tories will scrap the welfare state. But, what effect would a Tory victory have on the welfare state if the Tories win on June 4? None. Meanwhile, the Tories are in their second round of PEBs. They are no longer saying sorry but calling on voters to express their unhappiness and desire for change at the ballot box. This strategy is becoming less attractive by the day. Floating duck islands don’t cause much happiness among potential voters.

Those who still bother to vote on June 4 find much better reasons for turning out by looking at the promises of UKIP and the Greens. Sure, their online campaigns and broadcasts are as daunting/boring as those from Labour and the Tories, but at least, they talk about Europe.