Political parties rushed out their election communiqués, with the Brexit Party first out of the blocks according to numerous posts about the elections on social media.
The Brexit Party’s campaign included a personalised sub-A4 mailer, using information from the electoral roll and printed by Romsey-based Cedar Group.
Cedar Group also produced personalised A5 leaflets for UKIP.
Southend-on-Sea’s Solopress scored a triple whammy, printing leaflets for the Green Party, Liberal Democrats, and an independent candidates standing for pan-European party Volt.
“Elections are an area that we want to be able to capitalise on,” said managing director Simon Cooper. “75% of our orders placed today are for delivery tomorrow, and fast turnarounds certainly help when people need things quickly.”
Stricken Howard Hunt also printed leaflets for the Green Party.
London’s Park Communications produced various items for the Lib Dems, including a personalised letter and leaflet for party leader Vince Cable.
The Lib Dems also deployed a 4pp tabloid, printed by Mortons Media Group in Horncastle.
The Labour Party’s 2pp and 4pp regionalised A5 leaflets were printed by Sterling Press in Kettering, while fledgling breakaway organisation Change UK turned to integrated marketing agency Consider This UK to print manage its 4pp A5 doordrop leaflets that doubled as a window poster. The printer was not named.
Broadcaster Dan Snow caused a minor Twitter storm after he claimed that a Brexit Party leaflet fell out of his postal ballot pack, despite the items being printed by completely separate parties. Subsequently, it appeared the furore was caused by a simple mix-up on his part.
Update!
— Dan Snow (@thehistoryguy) May 20, 2019
The @newforestdc have issued this statement. I'm very grateful they have looked into it and short of other people coming forward I'm very happy to assume it was a prank or incompetence on my part.
Please share. pic.twitter.com/Jt293QfFyj
The printed matter amassed by the PrintWeek team and our colleagues did not include any communications from the Conservative Party, although a spokesman said some printed matter had been produced.
According to a report in the Telegraph, a Conservative leaflet produced early in the campaign had caused further rifts within the party.
Posters, estate agent-style boards, banners and rosettes have also featured in the campaigning activities.
Polling stations close tonight at 10pm.
