Blue, red, green, orange: How do political parties in UK pick colours and what do they symbolise?

As the UK gears up for the polls on July 4, the vibrant political landscape is more colourful than ever. Political colours not only represent parties but also convey their ideologies.

In the US, Democrats are blue and Republicans are red. Green can represent environmentalism or Islamic parties in different countries, and orange is linked to Christian Democrats in Europe and post-Soviet uprisings in the east.

We take a look at the kaleidoscope of colours that the political parties in the UK portray themselves with:

The Conservative party: Blue

The Conservative Party’s association with blue dates back to its formation in 1834. Initially, the Tories used the full spectrum of the Union Jack: red, blue, and white. It wasn’t until the Labour Party adopted a similar shade of red that the Conservatives dropped red altogether.

From a marketing perspective, blue is a colour that instils trust, reliability, and confidence, making it a popular choice among corporate companies, technology firms, and hospitals, such as the NHS in the UK.

The Labour party: Red

The colour red has a deep-rooted historical significance for left-wing parties like Labour. It symbolises “the blood of the angry workers” rising against oppression, a reference that dates back to the first French uprising in 1789 and even earlier to slave uprisings at the end of the Roman Empire.

Red is also powerful in marketing, often used for sales posters because it evokes strong feelings that lead to action. Brands like Coca-Cola and Kellogg’s use red to reflect expertise and dominance in their fields.

The Liberal Democrats: Orange

Formed in 1988 from a merger of the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party, the Liberal Democrats adopted orange, a blend of the previous parties’ colours (yellow and red). This colour choice symbolises the party’s aim to balance different kinds of liberalism—social, economic, and political.

Orange is seen as enthusiastic, friendly, and attention-grabbing in marketing, used by companies like Fanta, Gatorade, Amazon, and Mozilla Firefox to signify a fresh and energetic alternative.

The Scottish National party (SNP): Yellow

The SNP’s yellow dates back to 1928 and David Lloyd George’s report “Britain’s Industrial Future,” known as “the Yellow Book.” Yellow represents the new, modern, and free.

Yellow is the most noticeable colour in the visible spectrum, symbolising happiness, optimism, creativity, and warmth. Brands like McDonald’s, IKEA, and National Geographic use yellow to exude an energetic quality.

The Green party: Green

Green is synonymous with environmentalism, a natural choice for the Green Party. The use of green in politics dates back to the 6th century Byzantine Empire and became prominent in Europe during the 1980s with the rise of environmental parties.

In marketing, green represents freshness, sustainability, and eco-friendliness. Brands like Subway, Tic Tac, Android, and Animal Planet use green to signify their commitment to these values.

UK Independence party (UKIP): Purple

UKIP, established in 1993, chose purple, a colour often associated with passion and British heritage. Some believe it symbolises UKIP’s attempt to draw voters from various parties, as it combines elements of multiple colours.

Purple connotes indulgence, luxury, and wisdom in marketing, used by brands like Cadbury, Wonka, and Hallmark to evoke these qualities.

Plaid Cymru and other parties

Plaid Cymru uses a logo featuring a Welsh yellow poppy on a white and green background. Yellow and green together represent freshness, growth, and nature. This combination exudes positivity and modernity, aligning with Plaid Cymru’s political stance.

Reform UK uses turquoise, a fresh and distinctive choice in the crowded political spectrum.

Other parties in the UK political landscape also have distinct colours. Northern Ireland’s Sinn Féin also uses shades of green, symbolising growth and nature. The short-lived Referendum party in the 1990s used pink.

How has political branding evolved?

Political colours have not always been as significant as they are today. The rise of new technology and advertising between the 1950s and 1970s marked a turning point. “Parties began to simplify their messaging,” Dominic Wring, a professor of political communication at Loughborough University told CNN.

“The advertising industry itself underwent a change around the introduction of colour television, so, increasingly, colours and more ambitious or innovative designs became quite significant,” Wring added.

Also Read | From outlaws to leaders: Why are UK Conservatives called Tories?

Colours are not always tied to specific values. For example, the blue of the Democrats and the red of the Republicans in the US represents a reversal of the UK’s colour associations.

Despite the strong colour-coded campaigning, UK ballot papers remain black and white, leaving the final decision in the hands of voters without the influence of colours.

With inputs from agencies