Communicating and Strategising Leadership in British Elections: Follow the Leader?

by Alia Middleton

Overview

This book concentrates on the leaders of the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats in British general election campaigns between 2010 and 2019, by exploring where they visit during the campaign and why, the impact they have, and how leadership is represented in the Press. It establishes the key strategic underpinnings for their visits, and the types of activities they undertake - in a uniquely British context. The degree to which leaders - and their visits - form an important dimension of voter behaviour is also considered.

Moreover, the book explores how the Press delve into the personal lives of lesser-known opposition leaders and scrutinise the policies of Prime Ministers. The types of visits by leaders that become newsworthy are identified alongside their importance as a framing tool in election reporting. Beyond the leaders themselves, press reporting on their personal relationships is scrutinised, showing an increased acceptance of active partnership.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783030610661
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	03/18/2021
Series:	Palgrave Studies in Political Leadership
Edition description:	1st ed. 2021
Pages:	221
Product dimensions:	5.83(w) x 8.27(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Alia Middleton is Lecturer in Politics at the University of Surrey. She is the author of several research articles and her research interests include: the electoral impact of MP retirement, the political lifecycle and multi-level voting behaviour.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Political Leadership and Contemporary British Election Campaigns.- Chapter 2. Hitting the Road.- Chapter 3. Preaching to the Converted?.- Chapter 4 – Follow the leader?.- Chapter 5 - Reporting Leadership.- Chapter 6. Partners in Politics.- Chapter 7 – Towards a Typology.- Chapter 8. The future of the campaign trail.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

‘Following the Leaders allows Middleton to unmask the logic and impact of contemporary British election campaigns. Marshalling evidence from twelve campaigns over a decade of four general elections, the sophisticated analysis provides new insights into how party and leaders’ campaign strategy is used to bridge the local and national dimensions of the country’s political life’.

-R.K. Carty, Professor Emeritus, The University of British Columbia, Canada

‘This is a fascinating – and highly original – account of the activities of party leaders in British elections.’

-David Denver, Emeritus Professor, Lancaster University, UK.