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Why we recreated the Bullingdon Club image – with a diverse twist Why we recreated the Bullingdon Club image – with a diverse twist
(2 months later)
Recently I was quizzed about the mission of Operation Black Vote (OBV). “I thought OBV was just about getting black and minority ethnic individuals to register to vote and vote in elections,” remarked BBC London’s Vanessa Feltz. But voting is only a means to achieve our very important end: to tackle racism and ensure we have greater equality of opportunity. And to do that, we have to be creative, bold and at times provocative. This is what we’ve sought to do with our recent ad campaigns for the EU referendum with partners Saatchi & Saatchi.Recently I was quizzed about the mission of Operation Black Vote (OBV). “I thought OBV was just about getting black and minority ethnic individuals to register to vote and vote in elections,” remarked BBC London’s Vanessa Feltz. But voting is only a means to achieve our very important end: to tackle racism and ensure we have greater equality of opportunity. And to do that, we have to be creative, bold and at times provocative. This is what we’ve sought to do with our recent ad campaigns for the EU referendum with partners Saatchi & Saatchi.
Today we have released a recreated version of the rather infamous image of the 1987 Bullingdon Club, which in its original form portrayed a group of young men who have come to epitomise great privilege and power. It’s no coincidence that the two main protagonists in today’s EU in-out drama, the prime minister, David Cameron, and former London mayor Boris Johnson are in that picture.Today we have released a recreated version of the rather infamous image of the 1987 Bullingdon Club, which in its original form portrayed a group of young men who have come to epitomise great privilege and power. It’s no coincidence that the two main protagonists in today’s EU in-out drama, the prime minister, David Cameron, and former London mayor Boris Johnson are in that picture.
We felt that the juxtaposition of the infamous image replaced by a snapshot of the UK’s flourishing minority communities in so many ways couldn’t be more stark – the powerful verses the powerless; the constantly heard against the voiceless.We felt that the juxtaposition of the infamous image replaced by a snapshot of the UK’s flourishing minority communities in so many ways couldn’t be more stark – the powerful verses the powerless; the constantly heard against the voiceless.
That’s why we felt it important to speak out. This referendum and its debate will shape the nation’s future for a generation. It should not be driven by the few, and certainly should not be decided by minority of small interested parties, even privileged parties.That’s why we felt it important to speak out. This referendum and its debate will shape the nation’s future for a generation. It should not be driven by the few, and certainly should not be decided by minority of small interested parties, even privileged parties.
It should be driven by everyone. Operation Black Vote has been joined in its campaigning by other voluntary and equality organisations such as Bite the Ballot, Operation Disabled Vote, British Chinese Project, Unlock Democracy, Diaspora Debating Association and the Muslim Council of Britain. And while none of these groups are taking sides for the remain or leave camps, we’re certainly not neutral when it comes to equality. We want equality to be discussed and debated so voters can objectively decide where it is best served. Our message is clear: this referendum is not just for the powerful and the privileged but everyone, and when that happens, we argue, in the end, everyone benefits. We hope this image will help to open up the discussions about belonging, equality and having a genuine stake in our society.It should be driven by everyone. Operation Black Vote has been joined in its campaigning by other voluntary and equality organisations such as Bite the Ballot, Operation Disabled Vote, British Chinese Project, Unlock Democracy, Diaspora Debating Association and the Muslim Council of Britain. And while none of these groups are taking sides for the remain or leave camps, we’re certainly not neutral when it comes to equality. We want equality to be discussed and debated so voters can objectively decide where it is best served. Our message is clear: this referendum is not just for the powerful and the privileged but everyone, and when that happens, we argue, in the end, everyone benefits. We hope this image will help to open up the discussions about belonging, equality and having a genuine stake in our society.
Some may look at the image askance. That’s inevitable when privilege and perceptions are challenged. There was strong push-back last month when we released the comparative campaign image of an elderly British Asian women on a seesaw with an angry white man with the strapline: a vote is vote.Some may look at the image askance. That’s inevitable when privilege and perceptions are challenged. There was strong push-back last month when we released the comparative campaign image of an elderly British Asian women on a seesaw with an angry white man with the strapline: a vote is vote.
Related: Working-class Britons feel Brexity and betrayed – Labour must win them over | Owen Jones
There we sought to highlight that nobody had any greater say in the future of this country than anyone else. And that for once, in a referendum rather than election situation, every single vote counts. It also touched upon the toxic nature of the immigration debate which has, for us, poisoned the referendum campaign.There we sought to highlight that nobody had any greater say in the future of this country than anyone else. And that for once, in a referendum rather than election situation, every single vote counts. It also touched upon the toxic nature of the immigration debate which has, for us, poisoned the referendum campaign.
Not everyone agreed with our approach, but even the biggest detractors of that campaign picked up the theme in the days that followed. The Mail on Sunday, for example, ran a front-page exposé revealing that far-right Nazi-supporting groups and their supporters had become active within the debate, spewing their racial hatred and division.Not everyone agreed with our approach, but even the biggest detractors of that campaign picked up the theme in the days that followed. The Mail on Sunday, for example, ran a front-page exposé revealing that far-right Nazi-supporting groups and their supporters had become active within the debate, spewing their racial hatred and division.
For all of us involved in this project we are passionate in our endeavours to encourage full participation for this EU referendum. But within these final days of campaigning, we really need the space to know the facts about the benefits for leave and or remain. And we would like a much greater appreciation of how staying or leaving the EU might affect the life chances of everyone, no matter their colour or background. By recreating the Bullingdon Club photo for modern diverse Britain, we are taking a step in that direction.For all of us involved in this project we are passionate in our endeavours to encourage full participation for this EU referendum. But within these final days of campaigning, we really need the space to know the facts about the benefits for leave and or remain. And we would like a much greater appreciation of how staying or leaving the EU might affect the life chances of everyone, no matter their colour or background. By recreating the Bullingdon Club photo for modern diverse Britain, we are taking a step in that direction.