Is anyone listening to the Labour Party conference in the ‘Red Wall’?

Our data team analysed articles in local media outlets distributed across Red Wall constituencies. We looked at everything published and then shared on social media since the Conference kicked off. 

To understand what drove engagement, articles were thematically mapped along with their corresponding likes, retweets and comments — enabling our data team to visualise what drove interest in the Red Wall with regard to coverage of the Labour conference.

Overall, proceedings in Brighton have barely cut through, with just over 1% of articles covering the Conference – hardly inspiring given the electoral significance of the Red Wall. 

In a further blow to the Labour Party, Andy Burnham’s outburst has been the most engaged with the topic. Even Angela Rayner’s ‘Tory scum’ antics, which got limited traction, was met with hostility and anger – seeing most comments siding with the Conservative party against Labour’s deputy leader.

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Was the cabinet reshuffle a cynical ploy to bury the universal credit vote?

Despite all the anticipation around a cabinet reshuffle, was its timing a cynical ploy to burry the universal credit vote on Wednesday afternoon?

Our data team analysed just under 100k tweets to understand who or what people were talking about concerning the reshuffle on Twitter.

Once news of the reshuffle broke, Twitter users quickly argued it was a cynical ploy to distract from the universal credit vote that afternoon. In part, driven by LBC’s James O’Brien and his 800k audience.

However, whilst that remained the dominant topic throughout the day, it was insufficient to distract from the big cabinet announcements. News of Raab and Williamson’s demise delighted the Twitterati. Yet no appointment on Wednesday received quite as much hatred as that of Nadine Dorries – whose promotion triggered the Twitter mob, in part, because of her Brexit leanings.

The best reaction on the day appears to have been reserved for our new Foreign Secretary, Lizz Truss. Twitter users were undecided on Wednesday, with accounts mocking and praising her promotion in equal measure.  Notably, a recurring theme amongst those supporting Truss was her perceived success as the International Trade Secretary in striking numerous deals. 

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Who’s more important: social care or Gavin Williamson?

The answer is: it’s a tie, at least online.

Our data team built a network graph mapping both conversations to visualise how Twitter users interacted with each other. 

Over a two day period, we analysed over 40k tweets, the bulk of both conversations.

Although the Twitter mentions of both social care and Williamson were about even, the star power of Maro Itoje and his pithy response to the story ensured Williamson’s gaffe dominated more of the online conversation.

So, a win for a government that has just jacked up taxes to a post-WW2 high?

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