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Does Jeremy Corbyn have a media strategy? Apparently not Does Jeremy Corbyn have a media strategy? Apparently not
(about 3 hours later)
For Jeremy Corbyn, silence appears to be golden. Since his election, the new Labour leader has spoken only once to broadcasters. For Jeremy Corbyn, silence appears to be golden. Since his election, the new Labour leader has spoken only briefly to broadcasters.
He gave an interview soon after his victory on Saturday to Greg Dawson, the political editor of BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat. Since then, however, he has preferred to keep his own counsel. He gave interviews soon after his victory on Saturday to Greg Dawson, the political editor of BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat, and Channel 4 News. Since then, however, he has preferred to keep his own counsel.
He pulled out of BBC1’s Andrew Marr show on Sunday (although his deputy, Tom Watson, stepped in). He also pulled out of Monday’s Radio 4 Today programme. And confronted by Sky News cameras in the street he refused to answer reporters’ questions and told them to stop bothering him, adding: “No comment.” He pulled out of BBC1’s Andrew Marr show on Sunday (although his deputy, Tom Watson, stepped in). And confronted by Sky News cameras in the street he refused to answer reporters’ questions and told them to stop bothering him, adding: “No comment.”
As for the press, he granted a short interview to the Daily Record, which had supported him, and wrote articles for the Morning Star, another supporter, and the Labour-supporting Daily Mirror, which had preferred Andy Burnham.As for the press, he granted a short interview to the Daily Record, which had supported him, and wrote articles for the Morning Star, another supporter, and the Labour-supporting Daily Mirror, which had preferred Andy Burnham.
But it is the fact that he appeared to turn his back on BBC’s current affairs programmes that has raised most eyebrows. Suggestions that it was a case of pique because of last Monday’s Panorama, which his supporters regarded as a hatchet job, were wide of the mark.But it is the fact that he appeared to turn his back on BBC’s current affairs programmes that has raised most eyebrows. Suggestions that it was a case of pique because of last Monday’s Panorama, which his supporters regarded as a hatchet job, were wide of the mark.
My understanding is that he did not feel it to be necessary and was worried about a possible conflict with a constituency event. Some of his team, however, believed it was a mistake not to do Marr because of its agenda-setting potential.My understanding is that he did not feel it to be necessary and was worried about a possible conflict with a constituency event. Some of his team, however, believed it was a mistake not to do Marr because of its agenda-setting potential.
Could his silence then be considered as an instance of a pre-planned decision to keep schtum? In other words, is it part of his media strategy?Could his silence then be considered as an instance of a pre-planned decision to keep schtum? In other words, is it part of his media strategy?
In fact, Corbyn has no media strategy at all. Well, that needs explanation. After his election on Saturday, his own team - including his head of press, Carmel Nolan - were superseded by the Labour party machine.In fact, Corbyn has no media strategy at all. Well, that needs explanation. After his election on Saturday, his own team - including his head of press, Carmel Nolan - were superseded by the Labour party machine.
There was a slight overlap between campaigners and party officials, but media matters are now in the party’s hands. And it will need to get to grips with an unconventional leader who, clearly, is his own man. Officials can give advice but it is up to him whether he accepts it.There was a slight overlap between campaigners and party officials, but media matters are now in the party’s hands. And it will need to get to grips with an unconventional leader who, clearly, is his own man. Officials can give advice but it is up to him whether he accepts it.
What will concern them is the idea that Corbyn will adopt a sort of fortress mentality, attempting to eschew any dealings with a largely hostile mainstream media.What will concern them is the idea that Corbyn will adopt a sort of fortress mentality, attempting to eschew any dealings with a largely hostile mainstream media.
It is unclear whether Nolan, who has stepped down from Corbyn’s team, will rejoin him. Her future hangs on whether she is formally offered a Labour party job, and whether, of course, it suits her. She currently lives in the Wirral.It is unclear whether Nolan, who has stepped down from Corbyn’s team, will rejoin him. Her future hangs on whether she is formally offered a Labour party job, and whether, of course, it suits her. She currently lives in the Wirral.
Nolan, a radio and newspaper journalist, is respected by Westminster correspondents as a serious operator, not least because she understands how they work and what they want.Nolan, a radio and newspaper journalist, is respected by Westminster correspondents as a serious operator, not least because she understands how they work and what they want.
Now 50, her journalism career began as a BBC trainee in Wales, later working for the Liverpool news agency, Mercury. One of her tasks was to interview the bereaved in the aftermath of the Hillsborough football stadium tragedy in 1989.Now 50, her journalism career began as a BBC trainee in Wales, later working for the Liverpool news agency, Mercury. One of her tasks was to interview the bereaved in the aftermath of the Hillsborough football stadium tragedy in 1989.
She later worked for two Liverpool-based radio stations, City and Merseyside, before joining the Daily Post and then the Liverpool Echo. She has freelanced for many years, often writing theatre reviews.She later worked for two Liverpool-based radio stations, City and Merseyside, before joining the Daily Post and then the Liverpool Echo. She has freelanced for many years, often writing theatre reviews.
Nolan was one of the architects of the Stop the War coalition, which was launched in 2001 after George W Bush announced his “war on terror.” Corbyn, who chairs the coalition, spoke at its first meeting.Nolan was one of the architects of the Stop the War coalition, which was launched in 2001 after George W Bush announced his “war on terror.” Corbyn, who chairs the coalition, spoke at its first meeting.
Another early supporter was George Galloway, then a Labour MP, and the Guardian’s Hugh Muir revealed that it was Nolan’s daughter, Hope, who came up with the name for Galloway’s anti-war party, Respect, in 2004. She was then aged eight.Another early supporter was George Galloway, then a Labour MP, and the Guardian’s Hugh Muir revealed that it was Nolan’s daughter, Hope, who came up with the name for Galloway’s anti-war party, Respect, in 2004. She was then aged eight.
Nolan’s politics may be very different from Alastair Campbell’s, but she is known to be an admirer of Tony Blair’s former director of communications, regarding his handling of the media as “genius.”Nolan’s politics may be very different from Alastair Campbell’s, but she is known to be an admirer of Tony Blair’s former director of communications, regarding his handling of the media as “genius.”
That view could well go down well at Labour’s headquarters. So a job offer for her could well be on the cards.That view could well go down well at Labour’s headquarters. So a job offer for her could well be on the cards.