4 ms·

It seems like the Tories have already broken the system permanently. They have far richer supporters than Labour, so more donations, and can therefore pay more

It seems like the Tories have already broken the system permanently. They have far richer supporters than Labour, so more donations, and can therefore pay more to get better prominence in online advertising and so can spread their message further. They use this to win a majority in parliament. The majority in parliament gets to set the rules for online advertising. Repeat ad (pun not intended) nauseam.

tristanperry 7y ago
I agree that the Tories tend to spend more, although the unions are a fairly big funding source for the Labour party. And the Lib Dems and UKIP/Brexit Party show that small parties can pull in large donations. FWIW, spending isn't always massively different. In 2015 it was £15.6m for the Tories vs £12.1m for Labour (https://www.prweek.com/article/1380236/uk-general-election-spend-largest-parties-2015-less-money-allocated-ads https://www.prweek.com/article/1380236/uk-general-election-s...) - not a huge difference.
- iso1631 7y ago
  We have spending limits in the UK, so the amount that Labour and Tories can spend is roughly the same. I've had 6 weeks of adverts aimed at a target tory/labour seat I live very close to in the North West, all from 3rd parties. The first 5 weeks it was mainly unknown groups like "Working for UK" and "Campaign Against Corbyn", all personal attack adverts on Corbyn (leader of the labour party), and when I dig deep I find the people behind these new companies (often set up in the last month or two) are people like a Conservative Councillor in London, or an Ex Conservative MP from Surrey. In the last week there have been some "tactical voting" adverts from more establish groups (peoples vote etc) I guess this is a way for the conservatives to get around spending limits, I guess like U.S. "Super Pacs"
  - tristanperry 7y ago
    That's very concerning! I live in a Labour safe seat in Wales so there's basically no campaigning here, but I was wondering what the situation is in marginals. The Super Pacs is a good example - it does sound like the Tories are (worryingly) going down this route.
    - shrikant 7y ago
      My (relatively rich, heavily remain, and mostly Tory voting) constituency is one of the rare cases that's currently polling a three-way tie between LabLibCon. Labour (incumbent) have mostly been quiet in this HEAVILY remain-voting area, with a leaflet or two highlighting a "People's Vote". The LibDems have parachuted in a Tory defector, and have been absolutely going all out with the campaigning around "Revoke Brexit". The Conservatives have been quietly content to stay out of the way and watch the non-Leave vote split between the former two.
      - iso1631 7y ago
        Kensington? Labour had no chance this year due to a shift in demographics, not to mention the fall in Labour vote share
        shrikant 7y ago
        Given that the Labour MP lost the seat by a mere 150 votes, I think it's a bit harsh to say she "had no chance".

tristanperry 7y ago

I agree that the Tories tend to spend more, although the unions are a fairly big funding source for the Labour party. And the Lib Dems and UKIP/Brexit Party show that small parties can pull in large donations. FWIW, spending isn't always massively different. In 2015 it was £15.6m for the Tories vs £12.1m for Labour (https://www.prweek.com/article/1380236/uk-general-election-spend-largest-parties-2015-less-money-allocated-ads https://www.prweek.com/article/1380236/uk-general-election-s...) - not a huge difference.

iso1631 7y ago
We have spending limits in the UK, so the amount that Labour and Tories can spend is roughly the same. I've had 6 weeks of adverts aimed at a target tory/labour seat I live very close to in the North West, all from 3rd parties. The first 5 weeks it was mainly unknown groups like "Working for UK" and "Campaign Against Corbyn", all personal attack adverts on Corbyn (leader of the labour party), and when I dig deep I find the people behind these new companies (often set up in the last month or two) are people like a Conservative Councillor in London, or an Ex Conservative MP from Surrey. In the last week there have been some "tactical voting" adverts from more establish groups (peoples vote etc) I guess this is a way for the conservatives to get around spending limits, I guess like U.S. "Super Pacs"
- tristanperry 7y ago
  That's very concerning! I live in a Labour safe seat in Wales so there's basically no campaigning here, but I was wondering what the situation is in marginals. The Super Pacs is a good example - it does sound like the Tories are (worryingly) going down this route.
  - shrikant 7y ago
    My (relatively rich, heavily remain, and mostly Tory voting) constituency is one of the rare cases that's currently polling a three-way tie between LabLibCon. Labour (incumbent) have mostly been quiet in this HEAVILY remain-voting area, with a leaflet or two highlighting a "People's Vote". The LibDems have parachuted in a Tory defector, and have been absolutely going all out with the campaigning around "Revoke Brexit". The Conservatives have been quietly content to stay out of the way and watch the non-Leave vote split between the former two.
    - iso1631 7y ago
      Kensington? Labour had no chance this year due to a shift in demographics, not to mention the fall in Labour vote share
      - shrikant 7y ago
        Given that the Labour MP lost the seat by a mere 150 votes, I think it's a bit harsh to say she "had no chance".