IN THE build-up to this year’s general election there is a common belief, mainly amongst critics that the media is creating a presidential feel to the Prime ministerial role of Great Britain. Media in America is unlike any other nation and the live television debates are part and parcel with the elections in the States and something that is the deciding factor for many voters.
Maybe the newly televised debates will give this election a presidential feel, but the media also has much more subtle roles in this augment. The coverage of individual politicians and their wives, along with the impact that the media can have on people's perception of politics is having a dramatic effect on the view of the Prime minister. The widely publicised and new live television debates have brought about much controversy, but have also had a positive impact on the view of politics across the country.
Simon Bryant from Deal in Kent thinks that the live broadcasts have helped the general public's understanding of politics and have helped many people decide who to vote for this time around. Mr Bryant said "I think the live debates have helped people really. I mean most people don't understand what goes on in politics and probably just vote for whom their parents have voted for, but the televised debates have helped people get a better understanding of what and who they are voting for".
Throughout recent years it has been the Prime minister that has received much of the coverage in the press, not the party as a whole. He is the figurehead of that party and should rightly accept blame and praise where it is due, but again it is important to remember that he is the first among equals in his party and sometimes it is too easy to forget that there is in fact a party behind him, influencing the decisions. The fact that the Prime minister is seen almost as an individual leader is very presidential.
The president of the United States is a standalone figure running the country and with the media's concentration on just the Prime minister, it puts more emphasis on the individual and therefore could potentially give a presidential feel to the role. With such coverage of the three major candidates, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg it seems very much that the public are voting not for the party they want to be in office, but the individual.
The first lady is a term that is common in the USA. The wife of the president, such as Michelle Obama receives a great deal of coverage in the media and her actions reflect greatly among the popularity of candidates in the election. This coverage seems to be more apparent during this year’s general election in the UK. The most obvious example is the wife of conservative leader David Cameron, Samantha, who has been in the media's spotlight for the entire build up and coverage of the election. Her pregnancy was announced in mid March and since then; she has developed a strong bond with the general public of Britain.
The media, as we know plays a strong part in influencing opinions op people in all walks of life, but particularly politicians. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is constantly on the front pages and many of these stories are negative. This means that the only perception that the general public get of the Prime minister is that he is not having a positive impact as Prime minister. With this in mind it plays firmly into the hands of the conservatives and the liberal democrats who can only profit from the bad press that is associated with Gordon Brown and his party.
Gary Miller from Folkestone said: "I think that the press have a massive impact on public perception and if they wanted someone to become Prime minister it is probably within their power to make it happen".
Whatever the outcome of this year’s election, there can be no doubt that it has been a staggering tale of twists and turns with new angles that could alter the election for the future and maybe in a way help the public’s understanding of politics. With the media having such a massive impact on the lives of the public, it is clear that there could be concerns that our Prime minister is seemingly presidential but that all depends on what way the situation is viewed and how the media cover it. For the next week up until the voting on May, 6 the media will undoubtedly influence the overall verdict, especially with the live debates, all that is left to do is watch the drama unfold. Please click here to download a postal voting form for this year’s election, or follow the links below if you would like to view and catch-up on the final Prime Ministerial debate on the BBC iPlayer. Click here to view the final Prime Ministerial debate.
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