A number of Labour party members and workers go in their own time, at their own expense to observe and support the Democrat US Presidential campaign. Some, including MPs, also attended conventions and rallies and, apparently, the Prime Minister’s now Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney had his costs covered by the party and was there as an observer. There is absolutely nothing new about people from sister parties attending events, supporting campaigns and sharing experiences of polling, campaigning and all the other stuff that political nerds thrive on from the left, right and centre. There are strict rules about being paid to do that as a foreigner although one might raise an eyebrow at MPs being paid to speak at rallies – Liz Truss and Suella Braverman spring to mind. Then there’s Nigel Farage who seems to spend a lot of time supporting his ‘friend’ Donald Trump and who’s used an American company led by used a former press spokesperson for the controversial former Trump strategist Steve Bannon to help him with “perception management” and PR in America, as well as settling a $3,500 hotel bill this summer.
Meanwhile, the evil genius and Trump trumpeter Elon Musk is giving away $1 million every day to people who sign his online petition promoting free speech and the right to bear arms. The petition is available only to registered voters in key swing states, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Michigan and they could get $47 for each registered voter they refer who signs the petition. Some might think this is election bribery and given what we know all too well about Musk, X and its influence, they’re probably right.
Now compare and contrast the coverage of these two stories. Fury and outrage at Labour people doing what they’ve always done – as have people from other parties while little more than a shrug of the shoulders at Musk’s intervention. Which raises a question about the way the UK media is treating Keir Starmer’s government. Admittedly, some of the attacks and bad press have been entirely self-inflicted – the clothes, glasses, freebies and the dire handling of the winter fuel allowance never mind the weeks of speculation about the budget have overshadowed messages about what the government’s actually doing.
No politician and certainly no government can expect an easy ride from the press – gossip, leaks and rumours fuel Westminster but the level of antagonism towards the government seems extraordinary. What’s worse is that it’s amplified by social media, by phone ins and opportunists while nobody seems prepared to call it out as not news, but rather confected indignation trumped up by Trump. Still, it’s useful to deflect the extensively investigated and reported actual interventions in the previous US election – not by members of British political parties but by Russia. As for the idea that this little spat could damage the ‘ special relationship’ between Keir Starmer and Trump should he become President. How can you damage a relationship with someone so unhinged, unpredictable and capricious?
We need robust and fair journalism more than ever, not curtain twitching finger pointing nonsense. And frankly, if Kamala Harris wins next week with or without a handful of Labour party members supporting her campaign we should all be grateful.
