Yesterday Rishi Sunak called a general election for July 4th. It was a dramatic, rain-soaked speech outside Number 10 and Sunak’s words were only just discernible through the deluge and over the clamouring crowd.
So, election campaigns have kicked into high gear and the next six weeks will see an intense political battle unfold across the United Kingdom. Key political figures, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Labour leader Keir Starmer, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, Reform Party leader Richard Tice, and Green Party co-leaders Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay, will embark on a mission to persuade voters and secure their party’s place at the helm of the UK government.
All this will act as a catalyst to the shifts in the political landscape we saw in the recent mayoral and local council elections in England. Long-expected changes are going to materialise even quicker than anticipated.
Post local-elections, Labour and, to a lesser extent, the Liberal Democrats saw notable gains. The spate of Conservative parliamentary by-election defeats, set the scene for the local elections, where they lost 474 seats.
Despite Labour’s rise (+186 seats) international affairs bolstered the Green party (+74) and independents (+93). It remains to be seen how this will play out and whether this will hinder Labour’s march to power.
Amidst this, mayoral victories underscored Labour’s stronghold in key areas. Winning 10 of the 11 contested seats, including Sadiq Khan’s historic re-election for London, Andy Burnham’s triumph in Greater Manchester and Steve Rotheram’s success in Liverpool City, solidifying their established leadership in key metropolitan areas. These outcomes serve as islands of continuity amidst a sea of political change.
Resignations at Westminster
High profile resignations, such as that of former Prime Minister Theresa May, mark a transition at Westminster. The list of people stepping down includes notable names such as Kwasi Kwarteng, Sajid Javid, and Dominic Raab for the Conservatives, and Nick Brown, Margaret Beckett and Harriet Harman for Labour.
With over 120 replacement MPs expected, there will be a swathe of new faces in the Commons. After fourteen years of Conservative government, Brexit, and the pandemic, the upcoming election presents an opportunity to rewrite the parliamentary agenda for years to come.
Challenges for public affairs professionals
In the midst of this political flux, new relationships will need to be established and networks rebuilt. And with the average tenure of an MP reaching 13 years, investing in these relationships can provide returns well into the middle of the next decade.
Communicate your message
The question is how to communicate the importance of your messages amid competition from other trade associations, charities, companies and third sector organisations. Geo-targeted video explainers can help you to stand out and convey key arguments in a compelling manner.
While traditional methods of communication may struggle to capture the attention of MPs amidst the cacophony of voices vying for recognition, unique, area specific videos offer a unique opportunity to cut through the noise. Using local data prepares the ground for meaningful conversation will allow incumbent MPs to see the importance of your work within their constituency.
Dense reports and lengthy presentations are a thing of the past. Captivating audience attention through short and snappy content is the way forward. Whether it’s showcasing the impact of policy changes, highlighting industry trends, or advocating for specific initiatives, short video explainers offer a visually compelling way to convey information that leaves a lasting impression.
By harnessing the power of video, you can begin to master the challenges of the changing political landscape, and take advantage of the opportunities it brings.
