For your viewing pleasure

As we're talking party election broadcasts I thought I'd do a quick review of those available online right now (an idea sparked by Joseph in the comments thread). I've linked to them all so you can judge for yourselves, and it's kind of nice to have them collected all in one place too.

Firstly Labour.

Truly, truly dismal. Three minutes of Gordon Brown droning on about something or other. A few shots showing what close friends he is with Obama and then he kind of lurches at you at the end grinning like a buffoon.

High point: Who knows? Lost in the droning monotone.
Low point: Brown's desperate lunge towards the voters.

Secondly the Conservatives.

Slicker than a Brylcreemed weasel on his way to an indecent proposal - far better production values and coherence than Labour's effort. Extraordinary selling points include "Yes, we'll keep tuition fees" and "No, I won't sort out your son's schooling". Actually I think that will play rather well despite the villainy behind the politics of it all.

High point: Jaunty pace. Cameron does some expert pointing.
Low point: Attempts to appear in touch with yoof culture.

Now the Liberal Democrats

Professor Clegg lectures an extremely board, silent schoolroom. For something billed as a conversation it's extremely one sided, I'd call it the Clegg monologue. In many ways it's a carbon copy of the Tory broadcast, just not as good. Town hall meetings, but no fizz. Serious pointing, but unconvincing to say the least. Does have more ethnic representation though.

High point: The beginning has pace and looks like the start of a great broadcast.
Low point: Clegg lecturing people who look like they've been there for hours.

What about UKIP?

One message repeated endlessly, hypnotically reinforced with large letters looming out of the mist. Europe costs us £40 million, £40 million, £40 million, £40 million - get it? Interesting interview with an EU bureaucrat standing for Europe to "go back and sort them out" which may go down well with some.

High point: They know their audience and play to them well.
Low point: The constant lies really.

Then there's the SNP

Starts out with Salmond as the trendy teacher sitting on the edge of the desk giving us a friendly chat, which works reasonably well. It then inexplicably transmutes into a bizarre metaphor about politics as a game of keepy uppy. Very Scottish weather.

High point: Salmond reassures us with numbers.
Low point: Do they really want us to associate them with football in the cold and sleet?

Last but not least there's Plaid

I'm really torn on this one. It has a bleak and dark feeling to it. It vividly paints a picture of a miserable nation - but maybe that will play well in Wales? It's very humane and I liked the scale of it, but simultaneously it did feel like it was locked in the last century (the ambiance not the policies). The political equivalent of Diazepam or the kindly hug of a well meaning uncle.

High point: A real sense of rootedness.
Low point: Not many laughs in it.

As an aside. Love the intro music when you enter the Plaid site. Very crystal healing.

I've already highlighted the Greens, so I wont do so again (but I liked it).