Politicians' Christmas cards: five of the best and worst

Publish date: 2024-02-14

This year’s offering from the Blairs is questionable on many levels. But have festive designs from other politicians ever caught the right mood?

What does the Christmas card you send say about you? Politicians understandably approach said question with caution – often with interesting results. See Tony and Cherie Blair’s, revealed on Tuesday. Once you get past Tony’s border terrier teeth and the fact that it looks as if Cherie has been superimposed, this is all about presenting the Blairs as a unit. The body language is telling – Tony is a husband about to say something awkward at a wine and cheese party, Cherie’s troubleshooting with that proprietorial hand on his chest. And then there are the clothes. Tony’s day-at-the-yacht-club open-necked shirt and blazer, matched with Cherie’s Kate Middleton-worthy literal take on the whole seasonal theme – with loads of party-approved red. Traditional but modern, it could be the seasonal equivalent of New Labour. The only thing missing is a sprig of holly – but, as you can see below, they’ve already done that. Here’s our pick of the best and worst political couples’ Christmas cards over the years.

The Milibands

Ed looks almost normal: the Milibands’ 2011 Christmas card. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Pretend you’ve never seen the Milibands before and this could be the kind of stock shot you get when you buy a photoframe – it’s the picture of domestic contentment. Add the marketstall Christmas paper border and a whole host of cosy grins and Ed Miliband looks happy and almost normal. 2011 seems a long time ago.

The Cleggs

Just add doodles: the Clegg family Christmas card , 2013 Photograph: James Gourley/Liberal Democrats/PA

What to do when your popularity is on the skids and ’tis the season? Allow your kids to throw a bit of MS Paint at the problem. That’s what Nick Clegg did last year. The grown-up sofa somehow clashes with the spirit, though. Who knew the Deputy PM would be one for velour stripes?

The Blairs (on stairs)

Blairs on stairs, 2006. Photograph: Zoe Norfolk/AP

Here’s the Blairs’ holly moment, during Tony’s time as PM. Other than that, and the official residence backdrop, it is strikingly similar to this year. The teeth, the stiff body language, the red colour palette, this time in velvet. The decision to stand on the stairs is inexplicable.

The Thatchers

Could have been taken any time of year: seasons greetings from the Thatchers, 1988. Photograph: Rex Features

Take away the cards on the mantelpiece and this shot of the Thatchers could have been taken any time of year. Just look at the border of spring-like flowers behind them. Thatcher, it says, doesn’t have time for such frippery. Hence the dark green skirt suit – hardly the most Christmassy of outfits.

Harry and Chelsy

Royal lols: Chelsy Davy and Prince Harry, 2009. Photograph: Rex Features

OK, they’re not politicians, but this one’s just too weird to ignore. This was Chelsey Davy’s e-card to friends in 2009, and featured the royal couple-in-waiting as dancing elves. Royal lols were just a click away.