Louise Stewart

Whatever your views on the timing of the Prime Minister’s decision to call a UK General Election on 4th July, we are now in the throes of a campaign where many expect a Conservative defeat at the polls and the first Labour administration for 14 years. Do you feel prepared to navigate the campaign period ahead and make the most of a new Parliament and Government? Please read our briefing attached which outlines four essential things businesses and organisations need to consider over the coming weeks and a timeline of key developments.

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Looking forward to chairing this session for PLMR Genesis colleagues next week, with an expert panel discussing what may happen in the polls coming July 4th & what the East of England needs from a new administration. Sign-up details below if you want to listen in! #politics #policy #publicaffairs #eastofengland

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With a new Labour government in place and the Conservatives in the middle of a leadership contest, this year's political party conferences signal a new chapter for UK politics. Join us for the POLITICO Pro Debrief, where our financial services team of seasoned conference-goers will break down: ✅ Key policy developments that could impact your business ✅ What really matters behind the headlines and politicking ✅ Insider tips on navigating the conference scene (and finding the best parties! 🎉) 30 minutes to go! Register now https://lnkd.in/eBfhJptY #UKPolitics #PartyConferences #PolicyUpdate #Finance #Leadership

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The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism annual report out today is - as usual - chocful of really useful data and analysis. In this epic year of more-elections-than-ever, one stat stands out in particular: News avoidance is now hitting an average of 39%. That's a serious challenge. AI, podcasts, social, subscription news vs. free online - yes, these are all interesting dimensions too, but when people are actively tuning out of the news to such an extent, it raises questions: - how much the attention economy (doomscrolling from one insipid frivolous video to another) is actually draining people's energy and focus from the really important things happening in their town, region, country and the wider world? - what is the future of news consumption? even emerging trends such as short clips (on Tik-Tok and LinkedIn) and dedicated deep-dives (on SubStack and the like) don't necessarily point the way to a broad future. - how best to sustain media plurality that also nourishes a varied media diet? Given how geopolitics is likely to get more divisive in the immediate years ahead, media companies really need to work on bringing people (or all generations) back to the news. And we would all do well to discuss the news a bit more with family, friends and colleagues. https://lnkd.in/eqtPUX-6

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Comms professionals might have a great track record of securing media coverage, but it's important to remember that media relations don’t come with guarantees—nor should they! Despite what some might think, it’s not a world of favours or gentle nudges to a media mate. The real magic happens when we craft a compelling narrative and tell stories that truly resonate. The best comms pros know it is a long game and it’s not about promises; it’s about building relationships and sharing stories that genuinely add value. That’s what leads to great coverage! #MediaRelations #PR #Communications #Storytelling

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Thanks to John Johnston for the POLITICO Europe London Influence story on the training gap between white PR Professionals and those from BME backgrounds. The Chartered Institute of Public Relations State of the Profession survey showed that white practitioners are: - more likely to have received training in the previous 12 months (81% vs. 74%) - are more likely to have agreed training needs with managers - and are less likely to have had requests for training turned down (36% vs. 47%).   This represents statistically significant gap in the training experiences and opportunities of UK BME PR professionals compared to their white colleagues. Not only is training vital for an individual’s progression, and internal profile, as it can shape how an employer views their ability and seniority, lack of access can impact overall achievements as well as retention - a key point brought up by Matthew Otubu. And based on previous research and people's lived experience, it’s also a red flag for other missed work opportunities and unspoken barriers to fairness and inclusion. Sadly the training gap is not surprising but it is unacceptable and, in an age of skills shortages, inexcusable. #PR #Comms #DiversityandInclusion #Training https://lnkd.in/eCZypZM8

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Keir Starmer has set out the government's 'Plan for Change'. Full Fact will incorporate these new "milestones" in our Government Tracker and provide regular progress reports. The Prime Minister is keen to be "ambitious" and to "embrace the risk" that comes with setting out pledges of this kind. Here's our initial assessment on just how ambitious the government is being with these milestones. #planforchange #UKGovernment #StarmerMilestones

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From Cameron to Sunak: How did the Conservative Party arrive at its current crisis? In my latest column for Newsroom, I explore the spectacular implosion of the Tories and the lessons it holds for centre-right parties worldwide. The conservative void at the heart of British politics: https://lnkd.in/gwXhWDf4

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This feels like urgent, important work in the context of global changes afoot at the moment. When America's information ecosystem is all but lost, how can we protect and renew what is left of ours? We will be looking at 1, new threat research to understand the implications of the Trump administration here, 2, new regulation, 3, new ways to safeguard traditional news, 4, government communications, and 5, citizen empowerment. So we can't do it alone and want to involve partners - see how to get involved below. Brilliant work by Elizabeth Seger Hannah Perry and team, with support from William Perrin OBE FRSA

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Today we Demos are setting out plans to upgrade democracy, win back trust in politics and start to write the global playbook against populism. Our Citizens' White Paper, produced in partnership with the participation charity Involve, sets out the why, what and how the new government could choose to create ways for the public to participate in national policy making. Why? To improve policy making, by making it more relevant and robust and helping to find ways through seemingly intractable policy questions, and to win back trust, which Sir Keir Starmer has called "the battle of this political era". What? Through the right participatory method for the right question: Citizens' Panels to help shape the governments' missions; Citizens' Assemblies to tackle big difficult policy questions that require sacrifice, or a moral decision; community conversations and co-creation to design services. How? By embedding it across the policy making landscape - through the missions, building capacity across the civil service, moving towards a legal duty to consider participation and underpinning with rigorous, independent standard setting. Martin Wolf in the FT today says of the work today: "The fundamental aim is to change the perception of government from something that politicians and bureaucrats do to us into an activity that involves not everyone, which is impossible, but ordinary people selected by lot. This, as I have noted, would be the principle of the jury imported into public life." Read the full paper below. I'd love to hear what you think. Brilliant work led by Miriam Levin with Sarah Castell and Hana Kapetanovic with a whole team of support at Demos and Involve. https://lnkd.in/eX9YSX74

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Climate change has cross-party support in the UK: our polling with More in Common earlier this year found that four in five Britons think it’s important that the government cares about tackling climate change - including nearly 80% of 2024 Conservative voters and two thirds of 2024 Reform voters. In fact, in every UK constituency the majority of people said they were worried about climate change. Whether its climate justice, nature, lower bills, green tech, conservation or energy independence, there are different ways to communicate about environmental issues depending on your audience's priorities. 👉https://lnkd.in/eay7j4hK

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Pleased to see the Future of News report reflecting two key PPA messages: ✅ The need for robust copyright protections in the age of AI: Specialist publishers invest heavily in creating high-quality journalism. It's vital that when this content is used to train AI models, it is done so with permission, fair compensation, and transparency. ✅ The importance of addressing digital competition challenges: With big tech exerting unprecedented influence over news media distribution and monetisation, fair competition rules are essential to protect media plurality and empower publishers to thrive. Lord McNally Andrew Dunlop Dido Harding Syed Kamall

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The US presidential/ UK PM debates have never taken place in the same week, let alone consecutive days. Setting aside which was the more entertaining (easily US) – a few thoughts on how the different broadcast formats affected the coverage and impacted the viewer: ⏳ Ground rules & visuals Contrasting with the BBC's looser approach, #CNN set explicit rules of engagement, everything from response times, microphone control and stage positioning. The split screen close-up camera effect was revealing – Biden pensive then growing in confidence and Trump looking increasingly needled as the debate progressed. If a similar technique was adopted for the UK debate, it wouldn't have benefited Starmer... 🔊 Moderation & questions Dana Bash and Jake Tapper led for CNN vs Mishal Husain alone for the #BBC. Two moderators enabled closer control and smoother transition through questions. Lack of audience in Atlanta meant a strangely sanitized atmosphere but removing audience reactions – along with the use of zoom-in – perhaps helps the viewer to focus more on the candidates and be less influenced by variables. The debate in Nottingham was less structured, giving both men – mainly Sunak – more chance to interrupt and go on the attack. There was also something very British about a willing audience stumbling through their questions amidst shouts of protest from outside! 🎯  Fact-checking Husain planted the flag early by highlighting BBC Verify and both candidates appealed to the service when disputed claims arose. She was also more assertive at clarifying statements and presenting official statistics especially during the immigration and fiscal debates. There was little pre-emptive or real time fact-checking in Atlanta, for which CNN are being heavily criticized. In the closing stages, the moderators struggled just to get the candidates – especially Trump - to engage with the question asked. Personal accusations, counter-claims and a ‘he started it’ line of attack increased as the debate wore on. As for the overall optics, Trump and Sunak appeared the more forceful and vigorous. Biden and Starmer will have to hope their more measured, statesmanlike performances are not overly perceived as tired or meek. #presidentialdebate #2024election

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Good luck to local authority colleagues in the run up to the #GeneralElection. A plea from the Adult Support Sector: please promote inclusive elections. #Disabled people have the same right to vote as people without a disability, and Government decisions affect them - the attack on PIP just one example, and of course funding! #MyVoteMyVoice campaign provides accessible information and resources for people with learning disabilities, #Autistic people and other support needs, including a very handy voting passport that can make the actual process easier for both polling station staff and the person with LD. My area of interest is LD, but obviously the same applies for other disabilities. https://lnkd.in/eVDFCtqV #AccessibleElections #Accessibility #Inclusion #InclusiveElections

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Morning all! Firstly, go get your ID and visit your local polling station. 🗳 Secondly, read BusinessCloud's latest round-up of opinions from the tech sector on what a new government needs to be cracking on with to unleash the nation's potential. As ever, some great commentary from CreateFuture's CPTO Jeff Watkins on the need for a definitive AI strategy to be put in place. Thanks to Jonathan Symcox for the inclusion. https://lnkd.in/eKv47D78

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Will digital exclusion ever really disappear? It's great to see our work with LINK and Adrian Roberts launch today, casting a fresh look at digital exclusion. Despite ongoing efforts to combat digital exclusion, our research shows that it continues to be felt across all age groups - either as a result of affordability or through our increasing reliance on digital skills in all aspects of our life and work. Today's young workforce are acutely aware that having the right digital skills today will not necessarily equip them for the workplace of tomorrow. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/et7w8WF6

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The increasing wealth divide in the UK and extent of deep poverty have not really figured much in the current election campaign, so I was particularly keen to chair this Religion Media Centre briefing to try to redress the balance. Speakers representing faith charities describe the “deep poverty” in society, with many families unable to find enough support to even afford the essentials. There is some blue-sky thinking too, as some speakers argue that the current model of state support with charities picking up the pieces showed the system really had failed. They say there is a need for a root-and-branch approach to social inequality. It's a complex issue which defies simple solutions but unless it's tackled head-on, speakers feel things are unlikely to improve.

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As communicators, we have a profound responsibility to illuminate the stories that remain hidden. While it’s tempting to follow the crowd and cover widely reported events, a journalist’s duty lies in uncovering the complex, underreported issues that deeply impact our world. Take child labor, for instance. It's a challenging topic that requires sensitivity, depth, and thorough understanding. Yet, many shy away from it, perhaps due to a lack of confidence or training. This is where robust journalist training becomes indispensable. By equipping journalists with the right skills and knowledge, we can tackle these critical stories with the nuance and care they deserve. Kudos to those communicators who seek out these important narratives and give a voice to those who often go unheard. Our work has the power to spark change, and it starts with the courage to step beyond the familiar. #Journalism #MediaResponsibility #UnreportedStories #ChildLabor @GCForum #GCForum

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The impacts of the strengthening blizzard of noise/misinformation mean corporate decision makers are increasingly reliant on trusted sources to inform their future direction. Day in day out the FT delivers a level of accuracy that meets this requirement.

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