UK Campaign Group Makes Game of Thrones Parody Video
The first Fixed Term Parliamentary elections are underway in the UK this spring. The system, which was put into place after the last time elections were held back in 2010, has already produced one US like feature–expensive campaign videos.
Unlike in the US, candidates in the UK have a shortened campaign season in which to make their cases to the public. This means that in order for groups to have their voices heard, they need to make a big splash. That’s just what one Council Group, Sigoma, has done by creating a two and a half minute advert explaining their cause, using Game of Thrones as a metaphor. The spot, which cost £11,000 (that’s over $16K in US dollars), uses the show to plead for “fewer and fairer cuts in funding” to regional councils.
Check it out below!
As the Express and Star explains:
Game of Cuts compares the funding of urban authorities in the north, Midlands and south coast to a fictional situation loosely based on ideas in Game of Thrones.
It depicts a fictional kingdom where funding cuts have left some areas unable to fund vital services for their people while other areas are only complaining of not having luxuries.
Lord Ned Starp, who represents the people of the North and Midlands, and his companion speaking on behalf of the Southern Ports, are seen pleading with the Government for fairer funding for their people.
The video draws a parallel between this situation and the current approach to local government finance which Sigoma claims is penalising some of the poorest authorities in England, leading to vital services that protect vulnerable people being put under threat.
It references Sandwell Council which has lost £89 million funding. Sandwell, Dudley and Wolverhampton councils are members of Sigoma.
It’s not all that surprising that the UK is referencing Game of Thrones in these elections, and it probably won’t be the last time it happens. The only reason I assume it hasn’t before is because the last round of elections occurred before the show was on the air.
The English aren’t the only ones who have made Game of Thrones references as part of their campaigns either. Benjamin Netanyahu also referenced the show during what was widely viewed as a re-election campaign speech that he made in front of Congress last month.
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