The Top 10: Election Posters

A special list this week inspired by the first big poster of the 2017 general election campaign

Philip Hammond and David Davis launch the Corbyn bombshell poster (PA)

Thanks to Anna Rhodes for this idea. I think the Conservatives’ first offering (above) is rubbish: a confused message that seems almost to suggest that the Conservatives want to bomb your family. Here are some better ones.

1. Greet the Dawn, 1923

“A new dawn has broken, has it not?” Tony Blair, in 1997, might have been echoing this image of people welcoming an apocalyptic explosion (with controversial apostrophe). Thanks to Robert Smith.

2. Equality of Sacrifice? 1929

Timeless illustration of the problem of inequality. Nominated by Malcolm Redfellow.

3. Now Win the Peace, 1945

Beautiful image of postwar hope, nominated by John Oxley.

4. Monopoly, 1945

Less well known, probably because the policy was less successful. Nominated by Jon Stone.

5. Labour Isn’t Working, 1979

Great design, ushering in the terrible reality of a government that presided over the tripling of unemployment. Nominated by Senior Sceptic.

6. La Force Tranquille, 1981

“Strong and stable” sounds better in French. Nominated by Marie Le Conte.

7. Labour’s Policy on Arms, 1987

So simple. Same distinctive Saatchis look as from 1979. Nominated by Scottish Jack.

8. Brixton, 1992

Never thought much of John Major as Prime Minister, but this was a great poster. Nominated by “Peter Mannion MP”.

9. Vatman, 1992

A poster that was used only once because Warner Bros complained, according to David Ward, adviser to John Smith, the shadow Chancellor. Thanks to Sky Blue Jim. (In fact, VAT was 17½ per cent, and it stayed at that rate until it was cut to 15 per cent in 2008.)

10. Be Afraid, 2001

Again, simplicity itself. Thanks to Rob Alexander.

There are many more great ones that I didn’t have space for. And many good ones were not used in election campaigns. “Not flash, just Gordon,” for example, was deployed by the Labour Party in 2007.

Next week: We’ve had first lines of songs: let’s have the Top 10 last lines

Coming soon: Greats, including Alexander, Alfred and Catherine

The e-book of Listellany: A Miscellany of Very British Top Tens, From Politics to Pop is just £3.79. Your suggestions, and ideas for future Top 10s, in the comments please, or to me on Twitter, or by email to top10@independent.co.uk