Saturday, December 01, 2012

Cyril Smith and Jimmy Savile in Liberal election broadcast from 1974



Awkward.

In reality Savile just sent a telegram - his brother was a Liberal candidate in this election - but at least the first section of this broadcast reminds us that celebrity endorsements are not a new phenomenon in British politics.

And the second gives you a hint of what an orator Cyril Smith was in his pomp.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

In that format, Huw Thomas looks anorexic and Cyril Smith almost normal...

Paul Walter said...

Yes, if I was watching that back in 1974 I would be reaching for the "vertical hold" knob!

Paul Walter said...

...And just think - that broadcast helped get Paul Tyler elected for the first time! (albeit for eight months!)