What do we think of Cameron's new Great Britain campaign?

[strangetowngirl]

Am i being unreasonable to think that featuring a portrait of the serial killermonarch Henry V111 on the new poster campaign to promote Britain is at the worst morally f**king questinoable and at best unimaginative?

Link?

Think its fine. I loved the tudors.

How do I add a link?

Load of bollocks innit.

Well, given that Henry VIII clearly thought women were only good for shagging and having children, and the Coalition cuts disproportionately affect women far more than men, it's probably a fair representation, as both seem to consider women as a sub-race rather than the 52% of the population we actually are.

according to hollinshed, henry V111 executed 72,000 people including his wives! what's wrong with a portrait of a well known writer, artist, musician! sorry still can't work out links

This is the only place i can find with all the posters on.
www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2040322/David-Cameron-announces-GREAT-Britain-campaign-ahead-London-2012-Olympics.html

OK. I now see that the portrait is part of a wider message to promote museums, but still! Why not feature a picture of Mr Shipman under the strapline the NHS is Great!

Henry VIII is a well-known image of Britain around the world. Difficult to pick any old English King or Queen, really that hasn't presided of a bit of war, torture or wanton destruction.

Shakespeare is a well-known image around the world. dont think he killed anyone

Doesn't pay to judge historical figures by modern standards, I find. Other images include Richard Branson, Oxford University and the Ribblehead Viaduct. Nice spread of iconic images.

But Henry VIII was a bit of a crap king, truth be told. He left the country in a much poorer than he found it, despite being left huge amounts of money by his predecessor.

His reformation was much more about the quest for an heir than any real depth of thought about religion, since he he was well known for his love of traditional style of Catholic services, etc.

He started out as a promising young king with much potential, but ended up a complete megalomaniac (though to be fair the 'divine right of kings' rule would encourage that).

He would hardly have been so remembered had he not had 6 wives, and some historians believe England may have reverted to Catholicism had he not gone on to have had yet more wives after Jane Seymour and needed yet another divorce.

Now his daughter would be a much better choice - Armada, huge upswing in the nation's wealth, rich cultural development...

YANBU, just because it happened long ago doesn't mean we 'forget'

school run calls but would love to continue discussion later!

Shakespeare was an absent father wasn't he? Glad all the extra tax we're paying is going on something useful.

Shakespeare famously left his wife his 'second best bed' in his will. Good job Mrs S didn't have access to MN.

The Holbein Portrait of Henry VIII is as iconic a British image as Sydney Opera House or Mount Rushmore. Places with a bloodthirsty history like the Tower of London are a mecca for overseas visitors. 'Horrible Histories' is one of the best shows on TV. Hangings, beheadings, heads on pikes, persecution .... all gruesome stuff but it's part of our heritage. Britain isn't Disneyworld.

How about the Mumsnet logo instead? Logs off and goes out

Shakespeare and Ann Hathaway had worn out the very best bed of course. It was a intimate joke between them and she gave a sorrowful smile when she read that bit.

People love Henry VIII - he is more mythology than anything - all that fatness and fur - no wonder he's a symbol of 'greatness'. And much more a recognisable than, say William the Conqueror or Egbert of Wessex. And they'd hardly use Richard Cromwell, also known as Tumbledown Dick. Tudors are very popular. This is an international campaign. I doubt Cameron has had much to do with it - which advertising agency came up with it? I'm certain much time was spent on the Heritage personality and they will have gone with the one that tested best.

They're spending half a million on it? Last year's "Change4Life" obesity awareness campaign was £14m. Shame the budget isn't GREAT, huh.

Don't worry about the ads, nobody will see them