Printwear & Promotion The Total Promotional Package
It was announced last week by Prime Minister Theresa May that the people of Britain will take to the polls again to vote in the General Election on June 8. Rik Haynes, digital marketing executive of Premier Print & Promotions, has taken a look at what the political parties involved are offering in their online promotional merchandise stores for the General Election. He explains further.
Our quick tour around the online promotional merchandise stores of every major UK political party certainly didn’t inspire us. Right now, there’s not a single General Election 2017 promo item to buy direct from any UK party! Some don’t even have a merch store at all. There’s a prime example of political suicide from the get-go.
But is there a front runner in our impromptu promotional poll?
The Conservative Party
The Conservatives’ online merchandise shop is currently showcasing an extensive range of products inspired by historical moments from the party’s archives. This includes a Labour Isn’t Working mug, Margaret Thatcher tote bag and New Labour coaster with Tony Blair. There’s also a tea towel featuring photos from back in the day of veteran Labour Lefties Ken Livingstone, Diane Abbott and Jeremy Corbyn. Is this merch store actually a Tory marginal?
Labour Isn’t Working promotional mug. Not suitable for dishwashers, microwaves… or trade union meetings.
Margaret Thatcher promotional tote bag. Mrs T famously once said: “We were told our campaign wasn’t sufficiently slick. We regard that as a compliment”.
Is history repeating itself with all the yesteryear artwork on these Conservative promo goods?
The Official Limited Edition 2017 Conservative Party Calendar. Wonder if June 8 has already been marked off?
The Labour Party
The design of Labour’s promotional merchandise is modern and sleek, while the party’s current militant policies look more like a throwback to the 1970s. From Corbyn canvas bags to Labour Party umbrellas, everything in the store is minimalist designed and on-brand.
Labour Party promotional pen. Looking very similar to Premier’s own range of Superhit Basic Ballpens.
Labour Party promotional umbrella. Go canvassing in the rain with a happy refrain.
Labour Party promotional silicon wristband. Great for those big outdoor events and demonstrations, no doubt being planned by Labour’s PR team as we write this.
Liberal Democrats
The only party fighting to keep Britain open, tolerant, united and… merchandise-free! Yep, there’s nothing to buy here. Not even hope, according to today’s poll tracking results for the Lib Dems. How can any political party brag about running the UK economy, when they can’t even set up an e-commerce site to sell their own supporters a few bits of official merchandise?
The Scottish National Party (SNP)
With the SNP seemingly in permanent campaign mode for a Scottish Independence Referendum 2.0, it’s no surprise that theirs is the best UK political party store for promotional products. Nicola Sturgeon’s crew have been smart and hired merchandise professionals from Glasgow to run the shop for them. From pin buttons to travel mugs, you can buy pretty much any form of promotional merchandise online.
The Green Party
Not as many eco-friendly products as we thought there would be on the Green Party’s online merchandise store. Or maybe we should just assume they all are, erm, green? Still, there’s no mention of recycled paper, vegetable inks or a low carbon footprint on the product pages for the leaflet and poster. Tsk.
The Official Monster Raving Loony Party
In classic Monster Raving Loony style, the party’s online merchandise store is still showing their iPhone app for the 2015 General Election. Such larks.
