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Home , Adam Boulton, Andrew Rawnsley, Charlie Whelan, Dan Hodges, David Aaronovitch, Faisal Islam

Commenting on the Commentators of the 2017 General Election Commenting on the Commentators of the 2017 General Election

In an era of accelerated mass media, targeted analysis and interpretation shapes politicians’ advertising and “fake news”, understanding the views of themselves and their opponents, in turn voices influencing the political agenda has never guiding the policies and proposals they present been more important. to the electorate. No one would dispute the national impact of In this guide, we have provided some or – the BBC’s background information and observations of a News at 10 alone averages around 4.6 million selection of the country’s key commentators in viewers every night. Both have a direct impact the 2017 General Election campaign. on the electorate, shaping our collective view While by no means exhaustive, it is sobering and understanding of contemporary politics. that any list of significant political commentators In contrast, less high-profile commentators shaping perceptions of the General Election have a more subtle, indirect impact upon contains so few women or people from non- the electorate. While the opinions of David white backgrounds. Aaronovitch or Quentin Letts may be relatively unknown outside of the Westminster bubble, within the beltway their views carry huge influence. Unlike broadcast journalists, they have more freedom to share their opinions. Their

2 Columnist and Radio 4’s Briefing Room Presenter

Politics: Media: National Print and Broadcast followers: 104,000

Notable election quote: “The best Labour MPs are, to since the departure of . He continues to be a my mind, the best MPs of any party. want what they strong advocate for humanitarian intervention, notably want. Yet in so far as any of them might contribute to criticising then Labour leader for opposing a majority for Mr Corbyn (or Mr McDonnell or anyone military action in Syria in 2013. remotely similar) I would vote against them.” He has been an outspoken critic of ’s Son of the legendary communist, alternative economist leadership from the outset, particularly on foreign and working class intellectual , David policy, claiming in a recent column that he may be Aaronovitch has been an unabashed supporter of the pushed to vote for the Conservatives as a result. New Labour project for over 30 years. Aaronovitch has a deep personal antipathy with Aaronovitch was the founding editor of Radio 4’s Corbyn’s chief of political strategy and communication On the Record, while also appearing in print as a – . , reporting in a New columnist, leader and parliamentary sketch writer at Statesman article The Thin Controller, claimed that , and . the latter refused to publish the former’s work while he His contributions strongly supported , arguing was Comment Editor at The Guardian. Aaronovitch’s that Labour needed to control the centre ground column found a home at The Times, now livened with to win elections and enact more socialist policies. A barbs for his erstwhile colleague. prominent left-wing media supporter of the invasion of Iraq, Aaronovitch has drifted from the Labour Party

3 Special Correspondent

Politics: Centre-Left Media: Current Affairs and Politics Magazine Twitter followers: 40,200

Notable election quote: “The Liberal Democrats are Bush’s ascendancy in the world of journalism has looking for love in all the wrong places.” been down to his astute and extensive historical and political knowledge supporting meticulous reporting Despite still being in his 20s, Bush has been catapulted of the facts. to the political fore and has established himself as one of the most compelling and reliable commentators in A former writer for the New Labour pressure group the business. Progress, Bush is a left-leaning centrist. However, he has successfully forged a position as a fair, objective critic At the New Statesman he has made his name as one rather than a political partisan – earning the respect of of the leading lights of the British Left for his incisive the different factions within the Labour party, as well as analysis and foresight. He was the first commentator Conservative and Lib Dems insiders. to call Jeremy Corbyn’s victory in the first Labour leadership election and he also correctly predicted that Labour would fall short at the general election in 2015. In 2016 he was placed at number 76 on ’s 100 Most Influential People on The Left, one of only six journalists on the list.

4 Philip Collins The Times Chief Leader Writer and Columnist

Politics: Centrist Media: National Print Twitter followers: 38,500

Notable election quote: “The abject weakness of the of jargon and terminology in speeches to convey key Labour Party means that this election will produce the political ideas. According to Collins, Blair’s last conference largest majority for an empty political project in British speech as Labour Leader in in 2007 was the electoral history.” most challenging: “We spent 80 per cent of the time, doing 20 per cent of the speech.” Philip Collins is the chief leader writer and columnist at The Times. Prior to entering politics, he spent a number A critic of the turn that Labour have taken since 2010 of years in investment banking as an equity strategist. In through Ed Miliband and now Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, 2000, he was appointed Director of the Social Market Collins expects a large Tory majority in the upcoming Foundation (SMF), an independent public policy think tank election. He is sceptical about , claiming the where it is said he was responsible for changing its image to Prime Minister has little to say, and has not articulated a “generator of ideas for New Labour”. clearly why she wanted the job at all. Collins is probably best known for his role as Chief Speech Collins is currently Chairman of the think tank Demos Writer to the then Prime Minister Tony Blair. When asked and visiting fellow at University College Oxford. about the qualities needed for his job by , he said that you had to be able to think clearly and above all else resist “stale thoughts and soggy clichés”. Collins has been described as having an “earthy sense of pragmatism”. He clearly relished his time working with the former Prime Minister and has spoken about Blair’s dislike

5 Matthew D’Ancona Guardian Columnist and Bright Blue Chair

Politics: Centre-Right Media: National Print Twitter followers: 31,500

D’Ancona’s chairmanship of the centre-right think tank As a columnist for The Guardian from 2010, D’Ancona Bright Blue made him an influential voice in centre-right has highlighted bullying within his own party and called politics during the Cameron and Osborne years. As a on Theresa May to take steps to address internal party former deputy editor of The Daily Telegraph and The culture and behaviour or face the perception that , D’Ancona was an influential supporter of Tories are once again seen as the “nasty party”. Cameron’s “Compassionate Conservativism”. D’Ancona places the current shifts towards more Despite welcoming the current Conservative extreme right-left politics in the UK within a broader dominance of UK politics, D’Ancona has been narrative of “Post Truth”, suggesting in his book of vociferous in his criticism of the opposition under the same name that lies and untruths have become Jeremy Corbyn – quietly concerned that a Labour Party politically acceptable arguments. distracted by its own internal crises has provided the breathing room for a Conservative shift to the right. A supporter of the free-market and socially liberal, his influence has waned under the more interventionist brand of Conservativism heralded by Theresa May. However, he still holds considerable sway over surviving Cameroons.

6 Tom Newton Dunn

Politics: Populist Right Media: Tabloid Twitter followers: 66,100

As Political Editor of The Sun, Newton Dunn is one of The paper’s backing of Theresa May comes as no the most pivotal and influential figures in British politics. surprise, being overwhelmingly Conservative for some The Sun remains Britain’s top-selling paper, and his time now. It has been notable how Newton Dunn has influence extends wider than this, having established endorsed and espoused the rhetoric of Theresa May’s himself as a pundit on ’ Paper Review and on Tory interventionism – echoing the need to help those Radio 4’s Week in Westminster and What the Papers ‘just about managing’. It is this populist and small-c Say. conservative messaging that has so successfully appealed to The Sun and its readers. From a political family, Newton Dunn’s father was a Conservative MEP who crossed the aisle to the Liberal Democrats. Tom Newton Dunn won the 2015 politics journalism prize for scooping the Plebgate scandal revelations.

7 Danny Finkelstein The Times Columnist, Conservative Peer

Politics: Centre-Right Media: National Print Twitter followers: 352,000

A Conservative Peer since 2013 and a former advisor He has lamented the impact of the EU referendum on to and , the witty and genial the Conservative Party. After the loss of his political ally Lord Finkelstein is known for his erudite political Cameron, Finkelstein gave a grim outlook for Theresa analysis and closeness with the more liberal wing of the May’s inheritance: “The new prime minister, like her Conservative Party. predecessor, will be hemmed in by a divided party, a tiny majority and economic woes.” A respected Conservative Peer and a close acolyte of and , Finkelstein’s Finkelstein’s mother was a Holocaust survivor and sharp analysis carries significant influence over the family friend of Anne Frank. Finkelstein grew up in North Conservative left. He is a former chairman of the and has been named by think tank and remains a prominent as one of the most influential British Jewish people. He advocate of Conservative modernisation. has been an outspoken critic of Labour’s handling of the recent anti-Semitism row. Finkelstein joined the newly founded Social Democratic Party (SDP) as a student in the eighties and worked closely with its leader David Owen. Upon the SDP’s merger with the Liberals, Finkelstein joined the Conservative Party. An unsuccessful parliamentary candidate in 2001, Finkelstein has since carved out a niche with his analysis.

8 Janan Ganesh Columnist

Politics: Liberal Centrist Media: National Print Twitter followers: 86,200

Describing his politics as “essentially Portillista” after the During the current campaign, Ganesh interpreted former Conservative Party Shadow Chancellor, Janan Theresa May’s social care wobble as an indicator Ganesh was a Labour Party member as a student, but of her inexperience, highlighting that (unlike other opted not to attend his local constituency meetings, recent Prime Ministers) she has never lead her party claiming in 2001 that they were “too dominated by in opposition. Commending her for her willingness to Trots”. review the policy, he questions whether “Mrs May’s reticence will become her self-doubt”. The Financial Times columnist writes twice a week – once on politics, once on arts. Ganesh endeavours to Ganesh grew up in London and lives in Islington. A occupy the space where political analysis ends and Labour student, he worked for centre right think tank, social commentary begins. Borrowing from popular Policy Exchange, before writing for . In culture to explain political events is not unique to 2012 he wrote The Austerity Chancellor, a biography of Ganesh, but few achieve it with such deftness and George Osborne. clarity. A recent column, “Did South Park accidentally invent the alt right?” is a brilliant illustration of this.

9 Gary Gibbon News Political Editor

Politics: Publically Neutral Media: Broadcast Twitter followers: 38,100

Gary Gibbon became Political Editor of Channel 4 Gibbon is described as a respected and authoritative News in 2005. The UK’s only daily hour-long television journalist with a “delicious streak of mischief”. Channel news programme, Channel 4 News claims to attract 4 News claim that it was Gibbon’s interview with Peter a significantly higher proportion of 16 to 34 year-olds Mandelson in 2001 that triggered the Northern Ireland than any other public service broadcasting channel in Secretary’s resignation for a second time from the the world. Cabinet. Before becoming the programme’s Political Editor, In 2006, Gibbon jointly won the Royal Television Gibbon was its political correspondent. A Channel Society Home News Award with Jon Snow for the 4 stalwart, Gibbon first joined the channel in 1994. story on the Attorney General’s Legal Advice on Iraq. In During his long career he has reported on four general 2008, Gibbon also revealed details of Blair’s pre-war elections and the peace process in Northern Ireland. meeting with George Bush and won the Political Studies He has also made special reports on the intelligence Association Broadcast Journalist of the Year award. and legal background to the . Furthermore, his coverage of the 2010 general election won him the 2010 Specialist Broadcast Journalist award.

10 Simon Heffer Sunday Telegraph Columnist

Politics: Social Conservative Media: National Print Twitter followers: N/A

Notable election quote: “The critical indicator of how Heffer was a vocal critic of David Cameron’s One far personal ambition shapes the parliamentary Tory Nation Conservatism. Following the formation of party is how many have “done a Fallon” – ministers, the , Heffer used his Telegraph or aspirant ministers, who fervently followed David column to attack the then Prime Minister for betraying Cameron in advising of the apocalyptic results of social conservative values. Earlier this year, he criticised , but now support Theresa May.” Tony Blair and the political establishment for failing to grasp the principle of democracy in the light of the Simon Heffer joined The Daily Telegraph as a leader electorate’s decision to leave the EU. Theresa May has writer in 1986. He has had a wide-ranging career with not been immune from his criticism, with Heffer arguing spells as the Deputy Editor and Political Correspondent that though she will likely win the General Election, she for The Spectator, the Deputy Editor of The Daily still lacks a coherent vision for power. Telegraph and as a columnist with The . It is claimed that in his youth, Heffer sympathised with the hard left but discarded these views by the time he went to university.

11 Dan Hodges Mail on Sunday Columnist

Politics: Neo Blairite Media: Tabloid Print Twitter followers: 81,500

Dan Hodges is known as one of the most assertive Son of , the actor and former Labour commentators active . He has been described by MP for , Hodges has previously worked for his friends as “David Cameron’s favourite columnist” the Labour Party and the GMB union. He has been a (James Forsyth) and by his enemies as “the Katie journalist and a blogger writing for The Guardian, The Hopkins of the Blairite right” (). New Statesman, The Daily Telegraph, The Times, and Labour Uncut. Hodges describes himself as “Neo Blairite”, making a career of attacking the Labour movement from within. Depending on your politics, Hodges’ provocation has made him either a powerful symbol of Labour’s past approach to policy, or a salutary pointer of how to make Labour electable again. Either way, he is an influential and divisive figure. Hodges caused outrage in Labour circles by voting for for London Mayor in 2012. He continued by praising David Cameron’s coalition government and fiercely criticising Ed Miliband’s leadership. After the election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader in 2015, Hodges left the party and now says he will vote Conservative in 2017.

12 Marina Hyde Guardian Columnist

Politics: Left Centrist Media: National Print Twitter followers: 113,000

While often initially dismissed as a celebrity columnist Hyde frequently highlights sexist representations of following her highly successful and long running Lost women both in celebrity media and politics. This often in Showbiz column, Hyde successfully bridges the gap bleeds into her criticisms of the prejudices of the between informed gossip and insight. European far-right, particularly UKIP, and her attacks on misreporting in The Daily Mail and The Sun. Her invariably cutting weekly celebrity, sport and political columns in The Guardian have built a She was fired from The Sun’s celebrity desk by Editor formidable reputation for satire, sparing no quarter of David Yelland in 2000, causing some of her critics to the political spectrum. Popular among metropolitan claim her attacks on the redtops were motivated by this professionals, Hyde can be relied upon to present the episode. issues of the day with a wry smile and a dry wit.

13 Sky News Political Editor

Politics: Publically Neutral Media: Broadcast Twitter followers: 191,000

On of the many prominent political journalists to have Leveraging his new-found prominence, Islam attended Manchester Grammar School, Faisal Islam succeeded long-running Sky News Political Editor rose to prominence reporting the 2008 economic in 2014. Islam co-hosted the recent live crisis at Channel 4 News. Q&A with Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn alongside . Reporting for The Observer on the ups and downs of noughties corporate excesses, Islam built a reputation Competing with established heavy hitters like the for translating complex economic trends into digestible BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg and his colleague Boulton’s news. As Editor at Channel 4 News, Islam All Out , Islam has a reputation for no- became a nightly fixture reporting the intricacies of the stone-unturned reporting; covering stories sometimes collapse of Lehman Brothers, the Icelandic banking overlooked. His understated interview style has led to crash, and subsequent Greek Eurozone Crisis, arguing Islam being mistaken for desperate or nerdy; but his that the roots of the Great Recession spread further quieter more self-assured questions can often catch than the failure to regulate the banking sector during politicians off balance. the 90s economic boom.

14 Owen Jones Guardian Columnist

Politics: Socialist Media: National Print and Broadcast Twitter followers: 557,000

A self-described “fourth generation socialist”, Jones At 32, Jones is one of the youngest commentators worked as a trade union lobbyist and parliamentary spotlighting the UK General Election, representing an researcher to John McDonnell before joining The often-overlooked youth perspective. His first book Independent and later The Guardian as contributor. Chavs: The Demonisation of the Working Class helped carve this niche. Jones’ significance is bound to his ability to be several things at once; simultaneously positioning himself as a A leading LGBT rights campaigner, he remains a political insider, reporting back to ‘us’ what ‘they’ think; staunch critic of the Theresa May-led Government, and an outsider, sharing our anger with the political, particularly its Brexit-negotiation stance, and its media and social orthodoxies and the human failures social and economic policies which he argues of individuals. However, having his feet in both camps disproportionately disadvantage poorer Britons. as a champion and critic of left wing politics has drawn criticism. Condemned as a “cheerleader” for Jeremy Corbyn, it is rumoured that Jones turned down an offer of a more formal role in the Labour leadership team from Chief of Strategy Seumas Milne – a former Guardian colleague. Jones has criticised the Party’s confused response to Brexit and numerous tactical leadership failures, being branded by some fellow left-wingers as a new-Blairite. 15 Laura Kuenssberg BBC Political Editor

Politics: Publically Neutral Media: Broadcast Twitter followers: 629,000

Probably the most important political journalist in In January 2016, Kuenssberg was involved in a minor the country, broadcasting to an average of 4.5 million controversy, arranging for Labour MP, , viewers of the BBC News at 10 every day, Kuenssberg to publically announce his resignation from the succeeded Nick Robinson in 2015, becoming the first Shadow Cabinet live on the show. This female BBC political editor. led to an online petition for Kuenssberg’s dismissal for alleged bias against Corbyn’s Labour Party. The She cut her teeth on the Daily Politics show alongside petition was withdrawn, though regulators concluded . She became so synonomous with the she had breached impartiality guidelines. Kuenssberg’s programme that David Aaronovitch famously referred reporting continues to be attacked by the Left, to the broadcast as “Kuenssbergovision”. questioning her objectivity and impartiality. Known for her courageous and penetrating interview Kuenssberg grew up in Scotland and worked for NBC style, Kuenssberg has been praised for her questioning News in America before starting work for the BBC. of the Prime Minister and President . She has a reputation for no-nonsense reporting, challenging her interviewees with direct questions built on unassailable truths.

16 Quentin Letts Daily Mail Columnist and Sketch Writer

Politics: ‘Pastoral Shire’ Conservative Media: Tabloid Print Twitter followers: 7,000

One of the most prolific journalists on the political In 2012, Letts discovered that the senior counsel of the scene, Quentin Letts writes a daily column for the Mail (into phone hacking) did not recognise while frequently contributing to The Daily Telegraph, the difference between lobby journalists and gallery The New Statesman and The Times. writers, and so felt compelled to write to the inquiry to tackle the “disapproving mentions of the fusion of fact Letts is known for his humorous and entertaining and comment in .” insights. MPs are known to be both desperate to be profiled by him, whilst also afraid of his In his usually satirical style, he outlined that whilst lobby characterisations. Describing his style of journalism, reporters had daily interactions with politicians he, as a Letts said he puts himself in the position of a member gallery reporter, generally tried to avoid MPs because it of the public writing to a friend. was harder to write about them if he befriended them. His approach spares no victims, exploiting the existing character traits of his targets. He has drawn criticism, particularly after his mocking description of as a “tipsy conductor” following his stroke. Letts has since apologised. However he has recently returned to form describing the Prime Minister as a “glum bucket” to her face and encouraging her to inject “more Boris” in the closing stages of the General Election campaign.

17 Daily Mail Columnist

Politics: Populist Right Media: Tabloid Print Twitter followers: N/A

A famously opinionated and outspoken columnist, Though his views are firmly on the right, he doesn’t Richard Littlejohn has been a staple of the tabloid press shrink from savaging Conservatives when he feels they since the late 1980s. deserve it. Pro-Brexit and pro-Trump, Littlejohn revels in a familiar bellicose style which often targets the entire Now in his second spell with The Daily Mail following political class. a stint with The Sun, Littlejohn is Britain’s best-paid columnist. He is best known for his combative style A frequent contributor on television and radio over the directed at liberal values and those who espouse them. past few decades - most notably on an eponymous comment-driven Sky News show – his nicknames His twice weekly column in the UK’s second most read for public figures have seeped into the mainstream, daily makes him highly influential, though his perhaps most infamously labelling John Prescott “two often divisive stances make him as much a pull for the jags”. paper as a target for its enemies. Specialising in outrage – real or manufactured – over political correctness and the nanny state, Littlejohn contrasts this with a steadfast defence of common sense and traditional values.

18 Fraser Nelson Editor of The Spectator and Daily Telegraph Columnist

Politics: Compassionate Conservative Media: Current Affairs and Politics Magazine, and National Print Twitter followers: 158,000

A journalist as polished as any politician, Nelson is Nelson began his journalistic career as a business known for discussing things few other Conservatives reporter with The Times in 1997, followed by a short are comfortable with, such as generational inequality, spell as Scottish Political Correspondent. In addition the value of immigration and Scottish unionism. to his role as editor of The Spectator, Nelson was a Political Columnist for the from Becoming editor of The Spectator in 2009, Nelson has 2006 and a Board Director with the Centre for Policy overseen a rapid growth in sales, recently reaching a 189 Studies think tank. year high. The magazine enjoys significant influence as a forum for Conservative debate and has seen many of Nelson’s commentary frequently focuses on the its former editors go on to become distinguished MPs, deficit using graphs and infographics to praise the including Boris Johnson, Ian McLeod and Nigel Lawson. Conservatives approach. Though he denies he has ambitions to stand as an MP, rumours frequently claim that Nelson is considering the leap from the gallery to the Westminster floor.

19 Robert Peston ITV Political Editor

Politics: Publically Neutral Media: Broadcast Twitter followers: 832,000

Political editor of ITV News, Robert Peston has become A Labour Party member before he became a one of the most recognisable faces in British current journalist, Peston faced accusations of bias over affairs broadcasting. his reporting of austerity prior to the last election. He remains a personal friend of and Previously a reporter for the FT, Peston became the , while famously falling foul of Tony Blair’s BBC’s Business Editor in 2005. He rose to prominence Downing Street Press Secretary . during the 2008 financial crisis, particularly during the Peston’s examination of New Labour, Brown’s Britain, collapse of , when he broke several big is widely thought to have been informed by his close stories. He was even summoned before the Treasury connections with the Brownites. Select Committee in 2009 to give evidence on whether his reporting contributed to the near collapse of the Educated at a comprehensive school in Haringey banking system. before reading PPE at Oxford, Peston inherited the prefix ‘The Honourable’ from his late father – Labour Peston left the BBC after 11 years in 2016, replacing peer Maurice Peston. ITV’s as the channel’s Political Editor. He stated that a big factor in his switch was the chance to host his own flagship political programme; .

20 Andrew Rawnsley Observer Chief Political Commentator and Associate Editor

Politics: Blairite Media: National Print and Broadcast Twitter followers: 381,000

Notable election quote: “As an appetiser before the His book The End of the Party: The Rise and Fall of New main feast, Tyrannosaurus Theresa banqueted on the Labour excited controversy by alleging that then Prime carcass of UKIP.” Minister, , physically attacked members of his staff. Rawnsley has worked for a number of media outlets including the BBC and Guardian. Whilst at the BBC he Unsurprisingly, Rawnsley has been highly critical of was the founding and sole presenter of Radio 4’s The the lacklustre performance of the Labour Party under Westminster Hour from 1998 to September 2006. It Corbyn, although his criticism of Theresa May has been was at The Observer that he made his name as one of equally scathing. the UK’s most prominent political commentators. His career trajectory aligned with the rise of New Labour. Indeed, Blair and Brown have been the central figures of his writing – surfacing in his commentary even today. In 2015 Rawnsley lamented the “Blair-shaped vacuum” in British politics. However, he has not been afraid to highlight the failings of New Labour.

21 John Rentoul The Independent Chief Political Commentator

Politics: Blairite/Centrist Media: National Print Twitter followers: 90,500

An experienced and astute political commentator, Rentoul’s first job was as a journalist for Accountancy Rentoul was ranked as one of the most informed and Age, he then moved to The New Statesman in 1989 and influential political journalists in early noughties Britain. stayed there for five years. Other roles have included political reporter for the BBC’s On the Record and He is perhaps most notable for his role as biographer Political Correspondent for the Independent. and chronicler of Tony Blair’s premiership. It was reported that Rentoul feared he would be out of a Rentoul is related to Sir Gervais Rentoul, the job when Tony Blair stood down because so much Conservative MP who was the founding Chairman of his job focused on “knowing more about Blair than of the 1922 Committee. anybody else”. In 2011, reported that Rentoul’s column in The Independent was “one of the last bastions of pure, unadulterated Blairism.” He was unsurprisingly critical of Ed Miliband’s leadership and argued he had to go if Labour was to win the next election.

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