If I was a Tory, I would be really worried by now.

There is something quite striking happening at the moment. On doorsteps and on telephones, voters are starting to make Labour's arguments back to us: "The Tories haven't changed" ; "Cameron is shifty" ; "They will stop us getting out of the recession" ; "They will cut vital public services". Perhaps only the last one isn't surprising - given that that remains their stated position, unique as it is within Europe. 

Cameron in particular isn't proving as popular as he should be. In the run up to 1997, nobody could doubt that although Tony Blair led the party, he had a strong team around him. That demonstrably isn't the case now. William Hague is a distant memory and George Osborne is unpopular with a massive chunk of the public.

Cameron's lack of popularity is going to prove a problem as the election gets closer. The Tories have made it very clear that they plan on making him the centrepiece of their campaign, but buying massive billboards with his air-brushed face on them only serves to remind the public of their distrust about him. It is also reminds the public about their unease about the Tories more generally - why aren't they there?What is he hiding? etc. 

That's why the recent mock-ups of his posters have caught on so fiercely - (I have included many of my personal favourites below). This simply wouldn't have worked for Labour in 1992 or 1997. The case for change had been made: New Labour was different.

The public aren't buying the Tories stories at the moment. Not least because their remedy for the recession is exactly the same as their remedy for the good times: lower public spending. This is what the Tories did for 18 years in power and for 12 years since losing power. Are we supposed to believe that it is just a happy coincidence that their stated aim and undiluted passion just happens to coincide with the cure to the recession? This is before we even look at their proposals for a married-man's tax allowance. 

Can't Change, Won't Change. 

Which is your favourite poster?