A general election is on the way, yet no one knows when it will be. Well, one person may have an idea but he’s not letting on and it’s driving me crazy.
If you believe national media (and it’s not often I do), the best guess is that voters will have a choice to decide who continues or takes over running the country in the autumn.
So, I guess this year’s summer will be gloomy with a chance of depression as we wait for the onslaught of campaigning following the recess.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m a great believer in democracy.
We in the UK are incredibly lucky to have free (albeit not very fair with ‘first past the post’) elections and any one of us can choose who we want to represent us in parliament, or even step up for the role ourselves.
That being said, I am sick to the back teeth with politics.
A few weeks ago we covered a story about fake newspapers. It wasn’t the first time, and sadly I doubt it will be the last because, frankly, the practice is abhorrent and deceitful.
And, yes, that is a hill I and many other editors across the country are prepared to die on.
Read: All our coverage on fake newspapers
As is always the case when we have written something that highlights something less than brilliant by one political side, we get a flurry of emails or social media comments from their supporters telling us we’re either biased or stupid.
Confirmation bias
It’s amazing how quickly those supporters are so blinded by confirmation bias they refuse to see the facts, the balance, or previous stories calling out opposing political parties – *sigh*.
But, still, that’s what I’ve signed up for.
After all, when you set up a newspaper you have to accept you’ll never be able to please everyone. You just have to stay true to your editorial mission and make sure local people know what’s going on so they can make their own minds up.
Read: The Bedford Independent’s ethics and editorial policy
But, I’m a local person too. Having lived here for over 20 years, I think it’s ok to call myself a Bedfordian, which means I also have the right to help choose who’ll represent me and my fellow Bedfordians and Kempstonians in Parliament.
So, before you 2024 MP hopefuls get your official election campaigns underway, please, PLEASE, listen to this one request.
You must do better.
I may not always agree with some politicians and I do get along with some better than others, regardless of their political preference. But, as an editor, professionally I am here to be their critical friend.
When I write an editorial piece, I stick to the code of conduct we have followed from the beginning.
This means the article will be written independently and without bias – and if anyone believes it is not, then we’re happy to be called out too (just make sure you provide evidence in your complaint).
When it comes to opinion pieces though, the gloves are off and I don’t care what party you represent, whether it’s the one I voted for last or the one I might vote for in the future, if you continue to push the limits of trust with local people, I’m calling you out.
You’re not selling craft beer
Right now we’ve got two of the three main political parties using fake newspapers and another using ambiguous wording that could be argued suggests something that’s a little outside of reality.
When it comes to your political publications, you must do better.
How can you be the honest people you claim to be when you use tactics like this?
You and your marketing teams may believe you’re being clever with these colourful pages and quirky fonts, but you’re not trying to sell a trendy fast food chain or the latest craft beer, you’re trying to sell honesty, integrity, and transparency.
The tactics of using fake newspapers or family lifestyle magazines and clever wording aren’t for you.
In fact, your publications shouldn’t be using marketing tactics at all. If you have to use glitter, filters and fakery to promote your message, you’re simply not doing your job properly.
Your election promises should be strong enough that you don’t need to insult the intelligence of the electorate with dressed-up leaflets full of content that doesn’t mean much or make sense to many.
When it comes to telling voters why you’re the right person for the job, you must do better.
Right now, we’ve got almost every local politician from almost all political parties on a ‘rollercoaster’ claiming it was their party that has secured significant investment in the area (even though that investment hasn’t even been secured yet).
If they stopped for a second and set aside their own bias, they’d realise Bedford’s unique political makeup and the national impact of this, hopefully-definitely-going-to-happen, project means each of your parties has played a part in some way or another.
Claiming this as a win solely for your party or your office is simply rubbish.
Bedford Borough deserves better
I could go on, but I think these examples are enough to get across exactly what I mean about the state of political propaganda today.
I’m sure each of you, our valued readers, will no doubt have other examples and if the emails we’ve received are anything to go on quite a lot of you are sick of this too.
I’m also predicting the social media comments and emails from the usual suspects who somehow believe there’s a hidden message in my writing that means I’m attacking or protecting just one party.
So, for them, let me be clear – I’ve not mentioned any single party by name in this article because I’m criticising all of them. They may not all be guilty of the same thing, but each of them has to hold themselves to a higher standard.
For the rest of you, next time a political hopeful knocks on your door, whether you support them or not, please do tell them to do better.
By all means, give them a chance to talk to you about why they’re the person you should vote for but ask them to cut the crap and take ownership of their local campaign.
Over the years, each time I’ve spoken to one of our local politicians or their representatives about these things, there’s usually the excuse that they’re following their party’s national directive or strategy.
But, each of those seeking our vote can say, “No, that won’t work in Bedford”.
They can tell their head offices that Bedfordians are sick of the smoke and mirrors, the dishonesty, the hyperbole, the conspiracies, and the drivel they think we’ll fall for.
Each of us, from politicians to business owners to news editors to readers, wants what’s best for this little patch of England we call home, so let’s act like it and do what’s right for the Borough, not just our self-interests.
While in the autumn (TBC) we’ll be voting for our respective MPs, this message is for all politicians. Mayor or opposition, MP or PPC, Councillor or PCC, your responsibility is to work for us, not yourselves.
Can you imagine the attention you’d get if you did stop the things we’ve highlighted above? That would be quite the landmark moment, and it might even get you elected.
