“Yeah I’m serious now, but you should have seen me in the 90s”… is how I would describe the essence of the most prevalent Keir Starmer meme doing the rounds.
Having a consistent meme-able persona, which is broadly positive, is a helpful thing for a politician.
A candidate or party’s share of earned media is a strong predictor of electoral success.
Few non-politicos would share a typical piece of electoral communication, but #politicalmemes are spread widely online.
Bernie and Biden both had very flattering, highly viral memes going into the 2020 Democratic Party Presidential primary and they served them both well.
This latest meme is useful for Starmer as it insinuates that he was cool not THAT long ago.
It’s a good spin on his most common accusation: that he’s boring.
“I probably am I bit dull now, but it wasn’t always the case” comes across as humble and is relatable to many – particularly amongst the important middle aged demographic that will be a big battleground at the next general election.
The 90s are also deeply fashionable at the moment and so it plays well to Labour’s under 35 / liberal metropolitan base.
politicaladvertising.co.uk 