Lib Dem flashmobs – the last chance for Lib Dems to regain election momentum?
I read on LDVthat a whole series of Lib Dem flashmobs are being held all over the UK for Monday Bank holiday (mostly around 3pm) – organised not by the Cowley Street or those clever party strategists – but by those brilliant RATM people.
To be honest, I struggled about whether I should comment on these flashmobs. I actually chatted to a couple of other LV bloggers before posting (something I NEVER do) such was my concern. Because the BRILLIANT thing about the RATM stuff is that it is so very independent – so totally “outside” the mainstream. I have been following it on Facebook for a while – as i am sure many have- …and its been fascinating and brilliant – but should we mention it ???? big dilema…because it, well, somehow sullied it. But hey the cat is out of the bag as it were…. so here goes….
Yo can go to Facebook to get the details and pick up on the discussion threads. It’s simply brilliant reading…(I have listed the main flashmobs below btw).
The planned events are the idea of spontaneous, mad, sleep-deprived individuals using the social network groups to get the word out and create one, then two then half a dozen flashmobs up and down the country. No spin doctors, PR specialists or strategists in sight….
…DIRECT ACTION at its best ?
How successful will they be? Have to wait and see. Will it get media attention? have to wait and see. Will it make a difference? Have to wait and see. What it does look like is another example of how UK General Elections are changing….
….And how the “high command party strategists” are losing swathes of control of their parties plans with every day that passes in this election (just look at how they have had to chop and change their message and tactics after every TV debate). The tweeters delivering their verdicts long before the newspapers ever could. And those newspapers (such a useful tool to the party strategists in elections of old) looking increasingly irrelevant, tired, mouthpieces of their masters. Will these flashmobs be one more example of strategists running to catch up? I guess that does depend on just how successful the they are.
But here is the plea to Lib Dem high command….
If you have not done this already, then now…right now… make sure that every single broadcaster, newspaper editor and picture desk from UK media AND international media has the details of where and when they are taking place. Not an official email – its not your gig – but a few calls around a few mates could work wonders…..
Here is a plea to local party organisers
If you are close to one of the flashmobs then send your boys and girls to Trafalgar Square and encourage them to take their mates, mums and dads… Which is really more effective? A few more focus leaflets shoved through peoples doors – convert one more voter on the high street – or national and international TV beaming out pictures of thousands and thousands of people congregating in squares up and down the country to show their unified demand for a real change to our politics for ever? ITs a no brainer sa far as I am concerned..
And Nick…
Go on Nick… do something different.. brave… out there… a bit ooh a bit aah…. Why not see if you can get yourself along to one of them? You know you want to…
Here’s the info on where they are at…..
LONDON Flashmob: http://tinyurl.com/35bbwao
NEWCASTLE Flashmob: http://tinyurl.com/34m9lv6
GLASGOW Flashmob: http://tinyurl.com/363k5p2
MANCHESTER Flashmob: http://tinyurl.com/39v6384
DERBY Flashmob: http://tinyurl.com/35at3b3
BRISTOL Flashmob: http://tinyurl.com/33aztyw
UPDATE:
More of these things cropping up all the time. Spotted couple of new ones listed (see below…. ). I just love the madness of this.
Cardiff: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=103616226349581
Truro, Cornwall: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?invites&eid=117720324924545
Cambridge: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=118909274803214
Tags: general election, Lib Dem Flashmob