They don't make 'em like they used to

To mark the 30th anniversary of the Conservative Party Archive at Oxford's Bodleian Library, the Conservative Party’s historic poster collection has been published online.

Click here to open the image-viewing browser to see over 600 digitised posters.

Lord Parkinson, Chairman of the Conservative Party Archive Trust, said:

"By placing these posters online, we hope to open up the study of Conservative history to a new generation. They show that Conservatives have always stood for freedom, for the rule of law and safeguarding our national identity. By contrast, Labour Governments throughout history have increased taxes and extended the intrusive state – Gordon Brown’s Government is no different."

Many of the posters echo current political issues...

Dearer beer: Conservatives attack Lloyd George’s 1909 ‘People’s Budget’ for increasing taxes on beer and spirits, mirroring Gordon Brown’s recent Budget tax hikes.

Tax snoopers in your home: In 1929, a poster warns of state inspectors entering “an Englishman’s home”, following the Labour Government’s plans for a new land tax, reflecting the current Government’s plans for a council tax revaluation. The land tax threat also appeared in the 1909 Budget, with a poster warning of tax officials trying to find out the value of your garden.

Run on the banks: In 1935, Conservatives warn that “Labour finance” will lead to banks closing – echoing today’s Northern Rock fiasco.

Help for first time buyers: From the 1950s, Conservatives highlight their record in building one million new homes and clearing the slums, showing how Conservative Governments have always delivered more homes than Labour.

Rising prices: A series of posters in the mid-1970s criticise the soaring cost of living and rising food and energy prices under the Labour Government, just as families are feeling the pinch today.

Comments

[Guido Fawkes]

That one of Britannia should be re-issued with the word "socialism" swapped for "Gordon".

He is removing Britannia from the coinage now he has throttled her...

[Kate Bollinger]

Love that one! Has Cameron explicitly said socialism is wrong?

[Will Stobart]

Awesome, time to compile a new desktop background....

[Tony Makara]

I've got an old copy of 'Punch' from 1884 and there is a picture of a mannish looking woman carrying some books titled 'education' and she is being goaded on by a big menacing looking bear with 'socialism' written across its back. The same edition predicts that everyone in Britain will own a horse by 1967. These posters are great and show the political attitude of the day. I doubt if anyone will ever top 'Labour isn't working' for its sheer impact, I seem to remember that poster was everywhere!

[Jill, London]

"Many of the posters echo current political issues..."

And why don't the Conservatives continue to follow Lady T's example and call the political arm of the Trade Union Movement [aka the Labour Party] "the Socialists"?

I saw some posters of this ilk at an exhibition of 1920's London at the Museum of London a few years ago, and was struck how they could be adapted for today. "The Red Flag" singers/worshippers are still in power!

[Serf]

The Plague of Inquisitors is so relevant to today.

[Dave B]

I like the 'if you want to call your soul your own' one.