Starmer, Reeves etc., would you be a prop on TV?

[lornemalvo]

I was watching RR on TV earlier (typically in an industrial setting to prove what an industrial powerhouse we are), although often in an NHS setting also. I was wondering about the employees who are always set up as props behind Reeves, Starmer etc for these announcements. I wonder do they volunteer for this? Are any forced to do it? Has anyone ever refused and lost their job? Are their political beliefs taken into account? Most of them, best case, always look bored off their tits. I would categorically not do this, as I have no respect for the vast majority of politicians.

[markbigears]

Funny you should say that, I was watching it as well, the blokes behind her looked as if she’d farted
I’d only stand behind on the basis I could gurn.

[bloomen]

For a hundred quid and a nice lunch, why not?

It's the politicians in military gear that get me.

Unless it's safety related such as landing on a carrier I couldn't bring myself to disrespect the real personnel by cosplaying.

[dundarach]

I remember volunteering to meet William Hague, he was small and unimpressive.

John Prescott on the other hand was warm and welcoming and looked as hard as fck!

Some I'd genuinely be interested in being part of, the current shower of ste (all around) however, can all go and fck themselves!

[brake fader]

Watching the lads behind rolling their eyes and shaking their heads as she spewed the guff was actually more entertaining than listening to her.

[ChevronB19]

brake fader said:

Watching the lads behind rolling their eyes and shaking their heads as she spewed the guff was actually more entertaining than listening to her.

And that’s the joy of the UK. Unlike trump announcements, packed with sycophantic idiots.

[98elise]

I would imagine for most its an afternoon off work and probably a free lunch or tea and biscuits.

I'd probably not volunteer myself but I can see why plenty would.

[isaldiri]

ChevronB19 said:

brake fader said:

Watching the lads behind rolling their eyes and shaking their heads as she spewed the guff was actually more entertaining than listening to her.

And that s the joy of the UK. Unlike trump announcements, packed with sycophantic idiots.

Or perhaps that's already the reaction of hand picked supposed Labour supporters and it'd have been rather more obvious contempt being expressed if it wasn't......

[lornemalvo]

ChevronB19 said:

brake fader said:

Watching the lads behind rolling their eyes and shaking their heads as she spewed the guff was actually more entertaining than listening to her.

And that s the joy of the UK. Unlike trump announcements, packed with sycophantic idiots.

Not seen any of thet really, just people with a thousand yard stare. I'm assuming they are carefully selected

[IanH755]

In an effort to contract some of his horrific bad PR at the time, whilst he was the PM Gordon Brown came around to visit us at RAF Benson to talk to us various Merlin helicopter aircrew/engineers, just before we went out to Afghan (mid '09 IIRC) as part of his big "the army asked for more helicopters so I got them sorted" speech. The day before he was due to arrive, all the groundcrew were asked/told "don't say anything unless specifically asked, and don't say anything embarrassing" and a few of us who said "if he asks me anything, I'll give him my honest answer" were excused for the day so as not cause an embarrassment.

Additionally, during Tony Blair's farewell tour of Iraq, there is a photo of him surrounded by a few dozen laughing and smiling low rank enlisted soldiers - the story I was told by someone who was there (so only have their word for it) is that the military photographer just couldn't get anyone to force a smile for the big farewell photo (mid-day heat in the desert, stood around for ages until Blair was ready etc, everyone annoyed) so he shouted words to the effect of "Look, I know he's a XXXX but I need this picture" which caused the troops to start laughing, at which point the pic was taken, showing "Tony Blair surrounded by happy soldiers" etc.

Again, no idea how exactly how true that particular story is, but I could definitely see something like that being real.

[Vanden Saab]

lornemalvo said:

ChevronB19 said:

brake fader said:

Watching the lads behind rolling their eyes and shaking their heads as she spewed the guff was actually more entertaining than listening to her.

And that s the joy of the UK. Unlike trump announcements, packed with sycophantic idiots.

Not seen any of thet really, just people with a thousand yard stare. I'm assuming they are carefully selected

[pheonix478]

IanH755 said:

In an effort to contract some of his horrific bad PR at the time, whilst he was the PM Gordon Brown came around to visit us at RAF Benson to talk to us various Merlin helicopter aircrew/engineers, just before we went out to Afghan (mid '09 IIRC) as part of his big "the army asked for more helicopters so I got them sorted" speech. The day before he was due to arrive, all the groundcrew were asked/told "don't say anything unless specifically asked, and don't say anything embarrassing" and a few of us who said "if he asks me anything, I'll give him my honest answer" were excused for the day so as not cause an embarrassment.

Additionally, during Tony Blair's farewell tour of Iraq, there is a photo of him surrounded by a few dozen laughing and smiling low rank enlisted soldiers - the story I was told by someone who was there (so only have their word for it) is that the military photographer just couldn't get anyone to force a smile for the big farewell photo (mid-day heat in the desert, stood around for ages until Blair was ready etc, everyone annoyed) so he shouted words to the effect of "Look, I know he's a XXXX but I need this picture" which caused the troops to start laughing, at which point the pic was taken, showing "Tony Blair surrounded by happy soldiers" etc.

Again, no idea how exactly how true that particular story is, but I could definitely see something like that being real.