TV JEKYLL MAY BE POLITICAL HYDE

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30534, 1 September 1964, Page 17

TV JEKYLL MAY BE POLITICAL HYDE

IBy ALAN MITCHELL. Special Correspondent N.Z.P.AJ LONDON, August 31. One of the many interesting facets of the approaching British General Election is the influence that television may have on the voter. Nobody doubts that it is a powerful medium and method of expressing views. Recently it has been demonstrated that it could do a party more harm than good.

Each party, according to its standing in Parliament, is given time simultaneously on both channels—B.B.C. and I.T.V.—for “party political broadcasts” of 15 minutes. Naturally most are divided between Conservatives and Labour.

They compete with one another not only in the matter of information and selected facts, but also in the method of presentation. Judging by the howls of derision aroused by the latest Conservative telecast, the art of presenting political polemics has yet to be mastered.

The telecast departed from the usual practices of a straight talk by a leading minister, which many viewers find boring, or an interview, in which a minister is questioned by one or more interrogators, whom some regard as stooges firing off acceptable questions. They produced a documentary programme. It featured a young couple, married for 13 years (the duration of Conservative rule), who had always voted f or Labour. The theme was that they had prospered during the period, could afford a comfortable home and, at last, a car.

It showed a Conservative canvasser being told by the wife, “We’re Labour.” After sending him away, she wondered, “Why Always Labour?” Finally, a Labour canvasser threatened to bore the husband. For over a week a thunder of derisive comment has echoed in the Conservative oress. Critics have called for an end to “compulsory soft soap,” dubbing the programme “pointless” party oropaganda. Some asked if “party political broadcasts” should be cast aside as a public bore. It was inevitable that the critics should also be waiting to pounce on the succeeding Labour broadcast, “13 Wasted Years.” On the whole this was regarded as an improvement over the Conservative effort. It included Mr Harold Wilson enumerating seven points for the elector to bear in mind. Perhaps the unkindest remark was a query whether his journey from the Scilly

Isles, where he was on holiday, had really been necessary. The parties’ headquarters are now trying to decide whether the programmes irritate more than they convince. Future methods of presentation are also being considered. Documentary programme may be discarded in favour of the interview. The latter has suited both Sir Alec Douglas-Home, the Prime Minister, and Mr Wilson. Mr George Brown, the Labour Deputy Leader, has been less successful. After he had challenged Mr Edward Heath to a debate it was suggested that the Conservatives should engage him to use their television time. The Prime Minister and Mr Wilson are staunch believers in the “public appearance.” Sir Alec Douglas-Home was pleased with reactions to his “whistle stop” tours before he went on holiday.