Election Merchandise: The Good, The Bad, and The Weird
Have you ever bought a T-shirt from a concert or a reusable cup from your favorite coffee shop? Well, now you can also buy merchandise from the 2024 general election. Political parties are getting creative with their election merch, offering a range of items beyond the typical rosettes and bumper stickers.
The Conservative party recently restocked their Keir Starmer flip-flops, poking fun at the Labour leader’s changing political positions. Other popular items on their website include a mug featuring Angela Rayner and Starmer, as well as a plastic red piggy bank symbolizing potential tax increases under Starmer’s leadership.
On the other hand, Labour is focusing on more traditional merchandise like cloth bags and mugs. Their T-shirts and sweatshirts are inspired by streetwear fashion, while giant scarves feature their Change slogan in a graphic text design. While the Sparkle With Starmer T-shirt is sold out, you can still get a Vote Labour Perspex red necklace, similar to the one Angela Rayner wears.
The Green party’s merchandise is minimalistic, in line with their brand identity. They offer a Vote Green mug and some “brat” green posters. For clothing items, they have collaborated with Teemill, a sustainable platform that prints on demand and recycles old T-shirts into new ones.
Reform UK is taking a different approach by selling safety helmets with their logo, while the Women’s Equality Party is hoping to make a statement with Vote Labia-emblazoned baseball caps. The Animal Welfare Party, however, missed an opportunity by not offering jackets for dogs alongside their adult T-shirts.
If you’re looking for more unconventional election merchandise, Etsy has a wide range of unofficial items. From Tory wipeout bingo games to mugs featuring Nigel Farage getting hit with a milkshake, there’s something for everyone. One of the bestsellers on the site is “Fuck the Tories” friendship bracelets, inspired by Taylor Swift’s style.
Overall, election merchandise has become a way for political parties to engage with voters and supporters in a fun and creative way. Whether you’re looking to show your support for a specific party or just want a quirky souvenir from the election season, there’s no shortage of options to choose from. So, why not add a bit of political flair to your wardrobe or accessories collection this election year?