Search

The article discusses the week in which Tony Blair's son was arrested, a former ally accused him of being malicious and his plan to introduce instant fines was ridiculed.

British newspapers, particularly the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph, spent Aug. 1997 making strenuous efforts to suggest that Prime Minister Tony Blair's government is in serious trouble. Senior newspaper executives saw the departure on holiday of Blair and his press secretary Alastair Campbell as an opportunity to inflict a wound on the Government. However newspapers' exploitation of such difficulties as Foreign Secretary Robin Cook's marital problems and International Development Secretary Clare Short's handling of the volcano crisis on Montserrat had virtually no lasting effects.

The victory of the UK Labour party in the recent general election was a harsh blow for Conservative-supporting newspapers. Research indicates that these newspapers are likely to do very well under the new Labour government, but some observers disagree. They feel that newspapers are now sold mainly on the basis of extensive promotional activity, rather than for their political stance. However, there may be benefits for newspapers which can now be truly critical of the government.

Cherie Blair has maintained a dignified silence since her husband became leader of the UK Labour Party but this has not prevented her from becoming the object of relentless press fascination. The press desperately wants Cherie to be a US-style First Lady, despite the findings of a Gallup poll in Sep. 1996 showing that this is not what most people want. Nevertheless Cherie is an electoral asset in that newspaper pictures will be bigger when she is at her husband's side. Cherie is expected to join her husband on the road for about three days/wk. during the general election campaign.

Tony Blair, UK Labour Party leader, and members of his entourage have been establishing relations with the traditionally pro-Conservative press, including the Daily Mail, The Sunday Times and the Sun. The party hopes that its relations with the press will also have an impact on radio and television coverage. Pro-Conservative newspapers are disillusioned with the delay of the Conservative government in bringing about economic recovery. They are also responding to the personality of Blair and appreciate the attitude of the Labour Party towards newspaper and television proprietors.

Barbara Follett has improved the image of United Kingdom Labour Party politicians and helped them with their television appearances. She believes first impressions are very important and image is vital on television. Women need encouraging to be more authoritative while men have to be reminded of the importance of being clean and tidy. Honesty is the most important thing in interviews with journalists. Follett is married to millionaire author Ken Follett. She has twice stood for Parliament and has launched Emily's List UK to help Labour women get into Parliament.

The Labour Party is worried that people may not vote because they think a Labour victory is a foregone conclusion. Newspapers lose circulation during elections and do not cover campaigns very enthusiastically.

The challenges facing UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's press secretary Alastair Campbell are considered. It will be very important for him to ensure positive media coverage in the run-up to the next general election.

The author of a book about the British Labour Party explains the motivation behind writing it.

A government minister argues that the Labour Party has been misrepresented by the media and it deserves credit for all it has achieved.

The article discusses the damage being done to Tony Blair by the Philip Gould memos which are being leaked to the media.

Newspapers have reported that Tony Blair's popularity has fallen by 25% and ministers are avoiding mentioning health as an issue because it has become a major problem. The media has relished printing horror stories of people dying as they wait for treatment and 13 hour waits for a bed. Newspapers have also started comparing Britain's health spending with that of Europe. Normally they say very little in favour of Europe. It may be more useful if they start looking at who is responsible for medical delays and mistakes instead of merely blaming the government for everything.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and his press secretary Alastair Campbell have worked very hard to gain favour among Conservative columnists and newspapers. However, sources close to Blair indicate that he does not believe that he has been benefiting from positive media coverage. The right-wing press is now beginning to distance itself from the Labour party, as reflected in a direct confrontation between Blair and Daily Mail Editor Paul Dacre after Blair's speech to the 1999 Labour party conference.

The Daily Mirror is read by the UK Labour party's core voters. Many of its readers purchase it every day because they have been brought up to feel that it backs the Labour party. The newspaper remained loyal to the Labour party even when its fortunes were very low, and the party would suffer considerable damage if The Daily Mirror suddenly began criticizing the government on behalf of readers who felt neglected by the party.

The UK Labour party has made considerable efforts to gain the support of some elements of the Conservative press. It has appealed directly to influential journalists at the Sun and the Daily Mail, and has even been successful in gaining limited backing from the Daily Telegraph, which has traditionally been a very strong supporter of the Conservative party. The Labour party's work with the media has indicated that it can be possible to ensure that all newspapers support the same policy from different perspectives.

Press Secretary, Alastair Campbell, would like to have a media which was controlled completely by the government so that it could deliver news that it thought important in a way that suits the best interests of government. He does not like the way that the tabloid media treats political issues. However, the Labour Party went straight to the 'Daily Mail' when it wanted to publicize the need for welfare reform because they knew this tabloid would focus on scroungers and frauds. The complex details of the reforms were conveniently not dealt with.

Labour leader, Tony Blair, cannot understand why the media treats his party so badly when they have delivered on their election promises, given pay increases to teachers and nurses and the economy is buoyant. The media is annoyed because the Labour Party decided it was not going to operate within the national media but shortly afterwards Tony Blair appeared on a morning television chat show. Labour had no qualms about using the media when it was in opposition to expose Tory weaknesses yet now it takes offence when the same is done to them.

Those responsible for handling the UK Labour party's media image have placed strong emphasis on the fact that the Labour government is moving away from the Labour party's long-standing traditions. They hope in this way to gain the support of middle class voters. In fact, these voters are seeking a much bolder and more radical approach from the government. However, media manipulation could in fact be designed to appeal to press owners and financial markets, rather than to any specific political constituency.