Catalogue Number
NMLH.1995.39.97
Object Name
Poster
Title
'Help Them Finish Their Job! Give them homes and work! Vote Labour'
Place
UK
People
Labour Party
Events
Elections, 1945 General Election, World War II
Date
1945
Creator(s)
Zec
Description
A poster with a black and white drawing of three World War II servicemen in profile: a sailor, soldier, and airman. The text says: 'Help them finish their job! Give them homes and work! Vote Labour.'
This poster was designed for the Labour Party's 1945 general election campaign by Philip Zec (1909 - 1983). Zec was a well known left wing cartoonist, who had been a war artist for the Daily Mirror newspaper. He refused payment for the commission, seeing it as his contribution to the election campaign. The poster was designed to encourage women to discuss the election and postwar politics with their husbands, fathers and sons still serving in the forces. By voting for the promise of a better postwar Britain, they would help Clement Attlee's Labour Party to 'Win the Peace'.
The Labour Party 1945 manifesto promised to build houses and nationalise some industries. 'Give them homes and work' is a direct reference to this policy promise. These ideals appealed to many of the men and women who had served during the World War II.
*On Display*
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