Labour’s top 10 party political broadcasts over the years

Labour released their latest party political broadcast (PPB) yesterday, in which Martin Freeman (accompanied by the voice of David Tennant) lays out “the choice” for voters at this election.

This got us thinking in the LabourList office about our favourite PPBs over the years. Here’s our top 10 – though they aren’t in any particular order:

The Road Ahead (2010)

Stay on the road to recovery is the message from this PPB, following the 2008 financial crash and prior to the 2010 election. It’s worth noting that this is a message the Tories are now claiming as their own, but which was Labour’s in 2010.

Political Challenge (1970)

Labour made this for the 1970 election, which the Tories, under Edward Heath, surprisingly won. It’s like University Challenge, but totally bizarre.

Britain belongs to you (1959)

This video features a young Tony Benn, or Anthony Wedgwood Benn as he was known when this was filmed. It also has old posters and TV, which was new and exciting at the time.

Do it (1997)

Made as part of the ’97 election, in which Labour won in an unprecedented landslide. NB: Tony’s Chinos feature more than Tony’s face.

Glenda Jackson talks to her plants (1991)

This was filmed in the run-up to the ’92 general election. It features Glenda Jackson who was best known at the time as an actress but went on to become an MP the following year. She’s in her conservatory, comparing growing plants to industry…

Kinnock the Movie (1987)

Bizarrely this begins with a fighter jet, before documenting Kinnock’s life. It features members of Kinnock’s family, including his aunty, quoting his grandfather: “MP means a Man of Principle”. Although the sentiment is right, we’re not sure that one, with it’s emphasis on men, works all that well now.

“That’s why you have to vote” (1997)

Pete Postlethwaite is an angel posing as a taxi driver. Enough said, really:

Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry as nasty Tories helping people and companies dodge their taxes (1993).

Although it’s just over five minutes, this one does feel a little long. Despite not being the most exciting PPB, it’s worth watching just because Laurie and Fry are in it:

Harry Leslie Smith on defending the NHS (2015)

Although it only came out a couple of months ago, this is one of Labour’s most heartwarming videos. In it 91-year-old Harry recounts what life was like prior to the NHS: “I don’t want my past to become Britain’s future”

Jennifer’s Ear (1992)

We couldn’t miss this one off the list. Labour compare the outcomes for two young girls who have the same ear condition – while the parents of one pays for private health care, the other is left to wait under an NHS the Tories aren’t running well enough. It caused controversy at the time (labelled “The War of Jennifer’s Ear) because it was based on the story of a girl whose grandfather was a Tory member. Because of this connection, the Tories got wind of the PPB prior to broadcast, which led to The Sun and The Daily Express attacking Kinnock for “telling lies about a sick little girl.” It’s worth watching just for the final line.