First drafts of federal election campaign slogans
A look by David Martin at what might have been when it comes to party branding.
With the NDP’s recent announcement of its 2019 federal election campaign slogan (“In it for you”) the lineup of new party catchphrases is complete. But before each of the parties settled on their favourite phrase, they apparently came up with a number of subsequently discarded first drafts.
For instance:
NDP
Current slogan:
“In it for you”
Earlier drafts:
In it for now
If you want it, we’ll support it Here’s hoping for second place
Watch out for the Orange Trickle
Singing from the same songsheet
Remember when we actually mattered?
Everybody’s third choice Forget we ever called ourselves democratic socialists
Sure wish Jack Layton were still around
LIBERALS
Current slogan:
“Choose Forward”
Earlier drafts:
Choose Neutral
Oops! My bad!
We protect jobs, especially our own
Stuck in second gear
Don’t think. Just vote Remember: We legalized weed Justin’s still cute
We support a woman’s right to agree with us
SNC-Lavalin don’t scare me!
CONSERVATIVES
Current slogan:
“It’s time for you to get ahead” Earlier drafts:
It’s time to roll some heads
It’s time to rejoin the past If you like Doug Ford, you’ll love Andrew Scheer
We’re OK. You’re so-so
Fewer taxes, fewer services We took the Progressive out of Progressive Conservative
Bay Street’s our Main Street Bringing back Stephen Harper
GREEN PARTY
Current slogan:
“Not left. Not right. Forward together”
Earlier drafts:
Not right. Not left. Not elected Let’s recycle the Liberals
Let’s compost the Conservatives
Seeking a third seat since last May
We’ll promise you anything because we can
Avoiding power since 1983 A chicken in every pot and pot for every chicken
PEOPLE’S PARTY OF CANADA
Current slogan:
“Strong and free.”
Earlier drafts:
Not moderate. Not right. May
be far right
We’re not as scary as you think
Don’t look too closely
Some of our best friends are immigrants
Vote Bernier: The 737 Max of Canadian politics
Sounds Marxist but we’re not Think Social Credit, plus Créditiste
If the Conservatives are too moderate for you
BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS
Current slogan:
“Le Québec, c’est nous”
Earlier drafts:
Oui, nous sommes toujours là Notre chef est Yves François “Call me Cate” Blanchet
Soutenant la separation depuis 1991 tant que nous gardons nos pensions
Nous aimerions un autre référendum
Gilles Duceppe nous manque