Free
Never Mind The Ballots
As election fever grips Britain (or doesn't), we get on our soapbox to present a fascinating collection of political and campaigning films.
Politics and film share a long history. Here you'll find more than 70 years' worth of campaigning films and broadcasts, showcasing politics across all colours of the political spectrum. For once, the big beasts of Westminster share the spotlight with local operators - and there's even space on the podium for some political outsiders. From the dawn of the 20th century, the films chart the growing sophistication of spin in all its forms, embracing drama, documentary and animation, celebration and protest, the clever, the crass, the brilliant and the bizarre. What comes through in these films is not just how much politics has changed, but how much has stayed the same. The passion and fervour on display in the earlier films here may be surprising, but many of the techniques, tricks and strategies used by the parties today were emerging as early as the 1920s. Whether it's sparkling rhetoric and smart infographics or flag-waving and mudslinging - the rule in politics is much as it ever was: if it works...

Vote for FrogletVote for Froglet
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1974 7 mins
As the general election is held in the UK, it's polling day for the Clangers on a small blue planet far away.

Sam Small at WestminsterSam Small at Westminster
Promotional 1935 3 mins
It's the 1935 general election and Stanley Holloway recites a comic monologue promoting the policies of the National Government.

Bristol FashionBristol Fashion
Party political broadcast 1959 25 mins Location: Bristol
The Labour Party takes a heartfelt look at Bristol councilβs social(ist) housing and education agenda, spinning a 'new story from an old city'.

Mr. Jenkins Pays His RatesMr. Jenkins Pays His Rates
Documentary 1957 19 mins Location: Slough
Slough gets a resounding thumbs-up from a reluctant ratepayer in a surprising 1950s government film.

Socialist Car of StateSocialist Car of State
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1930 9 minsSilent
Party-political hyperbole meets Wacky Races in this spirited cartoon produced for the Conservative Party.

Children and PoliticsChildren and Politics
News 1964 3 mins
Some remarkably well informed (well, for the most part) children interviewed prior to the 1964 General Election.

General Election 1951General Election 1951
Government sponsored film 1951 8 minsSilent Location: Slough
A remarkable film showing the Municipal Borough of Slough's preparations for the 1951 General Election.

Black VoteBlack Vote
Current affairs 1980 13 mins Location: Smethwick
"There's been no active encouragement for black people to participate within the political structure of this country". A bleak picture of the lack of equality in Britain.

Britain Belongs to You No. 1Britain Belongs to You No. 1
Factual TV 1959 20 mins
The first in a series of 12 campaign reports from Labour's Radio and TV Operations Room, presented by Tony Benn and featuring Hugh Gaitskell.

Conservative News Review No. 5Conservative News Review No. 5
Documentary 1950 12 mins Location: Bethnal Green
"Set the People Free" - Tories take to the streets in the lead-up to the 1950 General Election.

Britain Belongs to You No. 2Britain Belongs to You No. 2
Party political broadcast 1959 20 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Tony Benn fronts a vigorous report on the pressing issues of Labour's election campaign, from housing conditions to comprehensive education.

General Election Slough 1950General Election Slough 1950
Government sponsored film 1950 11 minsSilent Location: Slough
A remarkable film showing the Municipal Borough of Slough's preparations for the 1950 General Election.

'All the Winners' - And the Losers! 'All the Winners' - And the Losers!
Non-Fiction 1923 4 minsSilent
No fewer than five once or future prime ministers on show at the momentous 1923 election.

Scottish Elections: Statement for ScotlandScottish Elections: Statement for Scotland
Public Information Filler 2003 1 mins
βIf you care, show itβ - is the message to encourage voting in the Scottish elections, long before the galvanising independence referendum of 2014.

Animated PoliticsAnimated Politics
Non-Fiction 1910 0 minsSilent Location: Woolwich
Woolwich candidates face the voters in the first of 1910's two general elections.

The Declaration of the Poll at Chertsey Town HallThe Declaration of the Poll at Chertsey Town Hall
Amateur film 1931 3 minsSilent Location: Chertsey
Crowds pack out Chertsey's streets to hear who their new MP will be

Gloucester By-electionGloucester By-election
News 1957 3 mins Location: Gloucester
The three candidates in the 1957 Gloucester by-election out and about on the campaign trail.

Wainwright Conservative Club, Blackpool (c.1906) Wainwright Conservative Club, Blackpool (c.1906)
Non-Fiction 1906 2 minsSilent Location: Blackpool
A lively crowd greets Blackpool's Conservative MP - possibly on election day.

Doorstep to CommunismDoorstep to Communism
Campaigning film 1948 11 mins
This Conservative Party film claims that votes for Labour are stepping stones to a Communist state.

The Suffragette ElectionThe Suffragette Election
Non-Fiction 1912 1 minsSilent Location: London
Trusted, tried and true? A Labour MP takes a principled stand on women's right to vote

Mr. Stanley Baldwin Mr. Stanley Baldwin
Non-Fiction 1923 2 minsSilent
With the nation at the polls, incumbent PM Stanley Baldwinβs election call had not yet backfired when this newsreel summary was released.

Peace and PlentyPeace and Plenty
Campaigning film 1939 30 mins
A strident protest against "a government for the best people by the best people", made by the Communist Party of Great Britain.

Labour's Recruiting AppealLabour's Recruiting Appeal
Non-Fiction 1915 1 minsSilent Location: Trafalgar Square
Stirring scenes in Trafalgar Square as Labour MP Will Thorne rallies recruits for the war effort.

Under Which Leader? Under Which Leader?
Non-Fiction 1924 0 minsSilent
The newly-elected parliament of 1924 opens for business under a veil of mystery, as the nation comes to terms with a sea change in British politics.

Two Lancashire Cotton Workers Discuss SafeguardingTwo Lancashire Cotton Workers Discuss Safeguarding
Party political broadcast 1935 8 mins Location: Oldham
Not a politician in sight in this clever Conservative election campaign film.

Canteen DiscussionCanteen Discussion
Factual TV 1970 10 mins Location: Gateshead
Home Secretary James Callaghan holds court in a Gateshead factory canteen.

"Topical" Triumphs Again "Topical" Triumphs Again
Non-Fiction 1922 3 minsSilent Location: Trafalgar Square
Lights, camera, democracy! Eager voters swarm to Trafalgar Square to witness the election results, live on screen.

Election Day throughout the regionElection Day throughout the region
News 1970 1 mins Location: Lincolnshire
"What's the difference between Conservative and Labour?, what's a swing, or a floating voter? Anglia news canvasses opinion from voters of the future.

Conservative Conference - Joe AshtonConservative Conference - Joe Ashton
Current affairs 1983 10 mins Location: Blackpool
Who could be better placed to report from the Tory party conference at the height of Mrs Thatcher's powers, than the outspoken Labour MP Joe Ashton?

Events in Leeds - General Election 1929Events in Leeds - General Election 1929
Non-Fiction 1929 6 minsSilent Location: Leeds
Enthusiasm abounds as Labour win an historic election, with former Liberal Richard Denman being carried aloft through the streets of Leeds.

The Right SpiritThe Right Spirit
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1931 9 mins
Donβt judge a book by its cover but do judge a political party by its garage in this Conservative cartoon from the height of the depression.

The Road to HellThe Road to Hell
Amateur film 1933 33 minsSilent
Melodramatic amateur fiction film protesting against the government's hated Means Test.

Election Coverage - Norwich SouthElection Coverage - Norwich South
News 1964 6 mins Location: Norwich
With the General Election only days away both Conservative and Labour candidates face local news cameras. In 1964, top of the national agenda is the 'Independent Deterrent'.

Lady Tweedsmuir, M.P. In a Brief Talk about PoliticsLady Tweedsmuir, M.P. In a Brief Talk about Politics
Party political broadcast 1949 4 mins
Lady Tweedsmuir, Unionist MP for Aberdeen, addresses the housewives of Britain on the dangers of Socialism.

Advance Democracy!Advance Democracy!
Campaigning film 1938 17 mins Location: London
A housewife galvanises her docker husband to take an interest in more important matters than the football pools.

Bolton Election ResultBolton Election Result
Non-Fiction 1912 1 minsSilent Location: Bolton
Women's Suffrage campaigners make their mark in a key by-election

Pike's Cine-Sound Pictorial Composite Reel No. 5Pike's Cine-Sound Pictorial Composite Reel No. 5
Non-Fiction 1986 19 mins Location: Pickering
Another example of a by-election protest vote as David Steel arrives to address the Pickering populace as the Liberals gain a famous victory in the middle of Thatcherβs rule.

Thinking about PeopleThinking about People
Party political broadcast 1965 10 mins
A Liberal dose of electioneering in this unmissable party political broadcast - an example of 1960s live TV saved on film.

Red Tape FarmRed Tape Farm
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1927 7 minsSilent
Mr Nosey Parker visits farmer John Barleycorn to tell him how to do his job in this witty Conservative Party campaigning cartoon.

Electioneering SouthamptonElectioneering Southampton
Amateur film 1931 13 minsSilent Location: Southampton
A fascinating film from 1931 showing the National Government candidate, William Craven Craven-Ellis, on the hustings in Southampton.

Enjoying LifeEnjoying Life
1962 26 mins
Can politics be pleasurable? The Labour Party envisions a better civic life for all in this party political broadcast featuring poet John Betjeman.

Sussex 1939Sussex 1939
Amateur film 1939 19 minsSilent Location: Hastings
The Sussex Communist Party presents its review of events and activities during the final months before the outbreak of war in this remarkable film from 1939.

Following in Father's Footsteps Following in Father's Footsteps
Non-Fiction 1924 1 minsSilent Location: Dudley
Splendid portraits of three hopeful parliamentary candidates, filmed in the run-up to the 1924 general election.

General Election Vox PopsGeneral Election Vox Pops
News 1974 4 mins Location: Birmingham
Who won the October 1974 election? Was it Labour or was it the trade unions?

Stratford upon Avon By-electionStratford upon Avon By-election
News 1963 3 mins Location: Stratford-upon-Avon
What effect will the political bombshell of the Profumo scandal have on the voters of Stratford upon Avon?

Darlington By-electionDarlington By-election
Current affairs 1983 5 mins Location: Darlington
Five hours on a coach for the stalwarts of Walsall's Labour Party on an away day to campaign in far off Darlington.

Reel Rushcliffe NewsreelReel Rushcliffe Newsreel
Amateur film 1935 7 minsSilent Location: West Bridgford
A far cry from the slick political campaign film of today. Here's Ralph Assheton on his way to Westminster and the National Government of Ramsay MacDonald.

Events in Leeds - General Election 1945Events in Leeds - General Election 1945
Non-Fiction 1945 2 minsSilent Location: Leeds
A chance to witness a real rarity, masses of enthusiastic Labour Party supporters parading through the streets behind their victorious candidates after an electoral triumph.

Coventry North West By-electionCoventry North West By-election
News 1976 5 mins Location: Coventry
Who's who in the 1976 Coventry North West by-election. A vital campaign for a former industrial centre now in economic crisis.

General Election Vox PopsGeneral Election Vox Pops
News 1966 4 mins
Will electioneering change your vote? Food for thought for parties planning to spend big money on the 1966 General Election.

Standing in a By-electionStanding in a By-election
Current affairs 1984 7 mins Location: Chesterfield
Π150 and ten signatures is all you need to stand in a British election. Can it really be that simple?

Sussex People's Scrapbook 1938Sussex People's Scrapbook 1938
Amateur film 1938 9 minsSilent Location: Brighton
Sussex Communists march on the streets of Brighton in this remarkable film from 1938, which also features the return of three members of the International Brigade.

AldermastonAldermaston
Amateur film 1962 25 minsSilent Location: Aldermaston
A fascinating record of the 1962 Aldermaston March featuring Canon John Collins, Michael Foot and thousands of marchers of all ages.

Joseph Chamberlain at Home (1902)Joseph Chamberlain at Home (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 3 minsSilent Location: Birmingham
A political giant at his magnificent Highbury estate in Birmingham.

Visit of Sir George Cotton at Accrington (1902)Visit of Sir George Cotton at Accrington (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 1 minsSilent Location: Accrington
A small crowd greets a local Conservative parliamentary candidate at Accrington station.

Conservative Party broadcast (19/04/1979)Conservative Party broadcast (19/04/1979)
Party political broadcast 1979 10 mins
The weight of taxation and unemployment keeps Britain lagging behind in the 'international prosperity race', says this Tory campaign film.

Housing Makes HistoryHousing Makes History
Campaigning film 1953 18 mins Location: Barnet
Residents of Barnet and Stockton-on-Tees are the lucky beneficiaries of a government scheme to remedy Britainβs housing problem.

Ballot Box Not the Bomb - Ulster Assembly ElectionsBallot Box Not the Bomb - Ulster Assembly Elections
Public Information Filler 1973 8 mins Location: Belfast
This poignant Public information film from Northern Ireland publicises elections for a new Assembly.

Plaid Cymru Election Broadcast 1974Plaid Cymru Election Broadcast 1974
1974 9 mins
In an emotive address, Plaid Cymruβs first two Westminster MPs plead the case for an independent Welsh state.

Your Money's WorthYour Money's Worth
1955 15 mins
Harold Wilson explains the reasons behind the rising cost of living under the Tories in this Labour election broadcast.

Topical Budget 378-1Topical Budget 378-1
Non-Fiction 1918 5 minsSilent Location: Royal Albert Hall
Topical Budget salutes Britain's top brass in this gleefully patriotic newsreel edition, released just weeks after the First World War was won.

Conservative and Unionist PartyConservative and Unionist Party
Party political broadcast 1959 14 mins
A remarkably laid-back Harold Macmillan addresses the nation (or at least those who owned televisions) just days before election victory.

March against StarvationMarch against Starvation
Campaigning film 1936 31 minsSilent Location: Hyde Park
Poverty and hunger compels angry, jobless workers - including Jarrow's crusaders - to make a historic march to London to petition government.

International ExchangeInternational Exchange
Drama 1905 5 minsSilent
Early propaganda film setting out an emotive case for 'fair trade', or tariff reform