So today the Guardian officially, and surprisingly, came out in support of the Lib Dems for the coming general election. Most of us who are resolved to ‘Keep Calm & Clegg On’ are happy to recognise that newspaper endorsements – certainly by left-of-centre newspapers – do not swing elections.
But, equally, it would be wrong to dismiss the Grauniad’s conversion to the Lib Dem cause as irrelevant. For a start, it is the first time since 1974 that the paper has unreservedly supported the party. That alone is a real fillip to activists.
It’s good for morale, therefore. But it is also good for credibility. For a long time, a newspaper endorsement for the Lib Dems has been the Cinderella at the ball. The Indy has let us get our hands all over it but never allowed us to go all the way. The Guardian has flirted but made sure we keep our hands to ourselves: until now. Now, at long last, Nick Clegg’s party is being taken seriously.
And then there’s this. At the last estimate the Guardian’s readership totalled some 1.15 million. Today they will all be reading that they should, in their paper’s opinion, vote Lib Dem. Does that mean they will? Of course not. Just as putting up a Lib Dem poster doesn’t guarantee your neighbour will vote for the party either. But it does mean they’ll see you support the party. Which does mean they will, in turn, think about whether they might also.
It’s silly to over-estimate the importance of newspapers at election time. But let’s not dismiss their endorsements either. In effect, the party just gained over a million new poster sites. That makes me happy, at any rate.
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8 Comments
Calm down, dear, its only a Saturday newspaper. Which is er, not quite as you say, “unreservedly”, as it says it worries about anyone in a Labour-Conservative marginal voting Liberal Democrat, and goes as far as saying that in these places it hopes for some tactical voting. In other words, four leaflets plus two target letters from the Liberal Democrat candidate in Dover, and perhaps a 150 other similar places, shouldnt be trying quite so full-on. And readership is not the same as circulation, and vastly more difficult to quantify, and isn’t it largely preaching to the converted? Goodness, it doesn’t take much to get you so excited.
Now if the Daily Mail, which today shows ” Nick Clegg’s party” , as you call us, only one point behind the Conservatives (32 to 33), ditched its bile and supported its own readership a bit more, then we really would have reason to rush out and dance a jig on the village green.
Still, after yesterday’s Sun front-page, (“Scrambled Clegg and Toast”), it’s as you say, a fillip to morale and good to see. Look out for The Indpendent, it might be even more “unreservedly” supportive.
This is quite a big deal, as it keeps the “big mo” and the narrative going that the Lib Dems are replacing Labour.
Er?
The Observer is the Saturday newspaper Philip . . . The Guardian is the weekly.
Still, never mind, it is a bit early on a Saturday morning to be completely awake. ;o) (yawn)
But I take your point about it being a Philip to morale ;o) . . . er? . . . Fillip.
It’s silly to over-estimate the importance of newspapers at election time. But let’s not dismiss their endorsements either. Yes remember that Sun readers will vote Labour too.
Er…. the Guardian is the weekday + Saturday newspaper and the Observer is published on Sundays.
I rate the support from the Guardian`s Editorial Team for Nick Clegg`s Liberal Democrats as vitally important and persuasive to their wide raging spectrum of readers in this General Election 2010.
The Guardian has digested long enough the shortcomings and failures on the Economy,Health and Education and Public Services since 1974 and know that it time for a change that it is only the Lib.Dems.who will make a real difference.
There is also the added carrot of proper and transformational to British Democracy `Electoral Reform’ i.e. STV and only Liberal Democrats are committed to it,root and branch.
Only with Nick Glegg as our next Prime Minister can we make certain that voters have the chance to vote for a fairer voting system next time.
The Guardian knows that Britain desperately needs a national referendum,to provide the UK with a much closer proximity between the voters and their chosen Party and who is elected and why?
You’re right we shouldn’t dismiss its importance, but a million poster sites? More like a million extra leaflets going through people’s doors. Mind you – that many leaflets is very useful.
Apart from the direct exposure, there are other benefits.
By announcing the switch a week before polling day, when many assumed it wouldn’t happen, it’s become a bigger news story than it would otherwise. So thanks, Guardian. Some have said too little too late, not me.
It’s an endorsement we can quote in our leaflets.
It’s been quoted in other newspapers, including Tory ones, that the Guardian has switched from Labour to LibDem.
It gives extra credibility to us, particularly with left-leaning voters, which increases the chance of us holding off a Labour recovery, or even squeezing Labour a bit. (Which, of course, is why Tory papers are telling their readership about this).
And, perhaps most important, the Guardian is read by other journalists, print and broadcast. It’ll increase our credibility among them, and may encourage the rest of the media to take use more seriously.
But I think most of the benefit will be longer term. A little more media exposure out of elections, and that the Guardian will be more likely to defend us, when we are are ignored or misrepresented in the wider media.
All these benefits are marginal, but if each results in an extra three votes in a marginal constituency, it could win us an extra seat.
….it’s Sunday. The Observer follows the Guardian line, and says its supporting the Liberal Democrats (well, except in Labour-Conservative marginals). So, two national newspapers bidding for us. And, surprise surpsie, The People opinion poll has us in the lead. But The People’s polling organisation is not considered very kosher. Other polls have us slipping back, or, even third place. Take your pick.