They try to brainwash you.
They don’t care if you know they are doing it. It works. So they just keep on doing it
The Tories are using the mantra ‘strong and stable’ to describe themselves at every opportunity. Even though interviewers have picked up on the ploy, they continue regradless. They believe that if they describe themselves as ‘strong and stable’, or say repeatedly that their leader is ‘strong and stable’ it will be an effective campaigning technique.
And there is some truth in that. Even if they are challenged on the mantra, they win. Half the interview will then be taken up discussing whether Theresa May is strong and stable or not. They have put their little propaganda ear-worm into our heads.
I hate the idea of being brainwashed. And brainwashing is what this is. So I have come up with a counter-strategy. Simple.
Every time I hear the phrase ‘strong and stable’ I say out loud ‘weak and wobbly’. Even if I am watching a TV programme on my own, I say it out loud. I know the effect of the spoken word is greater than the effect of internal thoughts. I say it out loud when I am in company, too. If I am sitting next to you during a news broadcast, or we are watching Question Time together, you will hear me say ‘weak and wobbly’ out loud as many times as the Tory propagandist repeats the mantra.
If nothing else, it emphasises how deliberately repetitive the use of the phrase has become during the election campaign.
If you want to counteract the propaganda machine, and keep the election debate rational rather than psychologically manipulative, use my phrase. Be my guest. Say it out loud wherever you hear the Tory mantra.
Weak and wobbly.
Weak and wobbly.