British Press Push For Thatcher (Press, 21 May 1987)

Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is gearing up for an election campaign aimed at securing her position well into the 1990s. As she prepares for the general election scheduled for 11 June 1987, she has the backing of the popular press, which is largely hostile towards the opposition Labour Party, led by Neil Kinnock. The media landscape in Britain, particularly the tabloids, has shown a marked preference for Thatcher’s Conservative Party, with several newspapers launching personal attacks against Kinnock. For instance, “The Sun,” the country’s top-selling newspaper, has aggressively labelled Kinnock with terms such as “cheat” and “deceiver,” while portraying Thatcher as “Britain's most effective Prime Minister since Churchill.” This trend was echoed in other national newspapers, such as the “Daily Express” and the “Daily Mail,” which favourably compared Thatcher’s leadership and policies to Labour’s and dismissively characterised Labour’s agenda in derogatory terms. Labour officials have expressed concern over the media's prevailing bias, with deputy leader Roy Hattersley stating that the current coverage is more irresponsible and prejudiced than ever before, stifling fair debate. Observers like Tony Loynes, editor of “U.K. Press Gazette,” noted that Kinnock's relationship with key newspapers, particularly those owned by Rupert Murdoch, has deteriorated significantly, especially after Murdoch’s controversial actions in 1986 when he sacked a large number of printers. Moreover, the media portrayal of Kinnock has extended to personal criticisms against his wife, Glenys, with derogatory headlines diminishing her standing. There is a sense among Labour representatives that the biased press coverage has severely impacted their ability to present their message effectively to the public. With only the “Daily Mirror” firmly supporting Labour—and most other major papers aligned with the Conservatives—the outlook seems daunting for Kinnock's party. In an attempt to combat the negative press, Kinnock is shifting strategies to engage more with regional press and highlight Labour's issues through television and radio. However, there are fears that the BBC has become circumspect in its coverage due to preceding tensions with the government over accusations of bias. Political analysts speculate that the fear of offending a potentially re-elected Conservative government might lead to conservative coverage decisions in broadcasting. As the election date draws near, Kinnock faces a significant challenge in overcoming not only the adverse media sentiments but also the broader implications of bias within the nation's press, which could shape public perception and voting behaviour leading up to the election.

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