London Liberal Democrats launch campaign

The Liberal Democrats have released this launch video.

I was trying to place what this video reminded me of and then it came to me. A corporate video. Souless music, odd lighting and fake enthusiasm.

Although without it we would not have had the comedy gold of the “nodding man” at 0.57 who is impressed when Brian Paddick mentions that he was a police officer. He doesn’t mention it very often so I can see how that was a game changer for that particular audience member.

It’s slightly unfair because it’s a deliberately policy light video. It’s more about the fact that the Lib Dems think a chique choice of launch video is a nineteen seventies disco.

This actually fits rather well with today’s stunt of getting in the ring with a veteran boxer, a presentational style with neither substance nor style. That’s actually a shame because the Lib Dems do have some worthwhile policies (and candidates) that I’d wholeheartedly recommend to any party to pinch. Not in front of Brian though, he used to be a policeman you know.

Whether its the early bird fares, one hour bus ticket, or even some (not all) of their ideas on policing the Lib Dems are genuinely offering some modest but useful ideas for London, which makes the choice of silly boxing ring stunts and launching on the set of Saturday Night Fever all a little odd.