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Labour's Position on Europe

Poster
1996-1997 (designed and printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Britain's relationship to Europe was high on the political agenda in the lead-up to the 1997 British General Election. This Conservative Party poster attacks the Labour Party's policies on closer ties with Europe. The poster shows Tony Blair, who was leader of the Labour Party at the time, sitting on the knee of the German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. Tony Blair is depicted on a much smaller scale than Helmut Kohl. The image suggests that Tony Blair is not a politician of stature. It hints that, if he is elected, he will become the pet of European leaders, allowing Europe to dominate Britain.

The poster is an example of the 'attack advertising' which characterised the 1997 election campaigns. Both the Conservatives and Labour were criticised for negative campaigning.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleLabour's Position on Europe (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Offset lithograph on paper
Brief description
Conservative Party poster for the 1996/7 election campaign: 'Labour's Position on Europe'.
Physical description
Conservative Party election poster printed in black featuring a composite photographic image of Tony Blair sitting on the knee of Helmut Kohl. Tony Blair is represented as much smaller in scale than Helmut Kohl. Both men are wearing suits and grinning.
Dimensions
  • Height: 61cm
  • Width: 39cm
Credit line
Given by The Conservative Party
Production
Conservative Party election poster for the British General Election of 1997
Subjects depicted
Summary
Britain's relationship to Europe was high on the political agenda in the lead-up to the 1997 British General Election. This Conservative Party poster attacks the Labour Party's policies on closer ties with Europe. The poster shows Tony Blair, who was leader of the Labour Party at the time, sitting on the knee of the German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. Tony Blair is depicted on a much smaller scale than Helmut Kohl. The image suggests that Tony Blair is not a politician of stature. It hints that, if he is elected, he will become the pet of European leaders, allowing Europe to dominate Britain.

The poster is an example of the 'attack advertising' which characterised the 1997 election campaigns. Both the Conservatives and Labour were criticised for negative campaigning.
Collection
Accession number
E.13-1998

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Record createdFebruary 18, 2009
Record URL
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