by P. Henry 26/5/2
While it could be said that voting only creates the illusion of gaining rights with the occasional elections announced, it seems even this possibility of small change is increasingly being controlled.
Who elects candidates? It’s supposed to be a simple process whereby parties put forward local choices and then combat other parties’ candidates in an election. Who should get elected depends on candidates’ offers of benefits. The more realistic version includes issues of power control, backroom politics, corporate deals and compromising payoffs. Now the media limits choice.
It was known that to become UK Prime Minister required first a visit to the media mogul Murdoch[1]. Now an amorphous media and their corporate owners, will decide what is true. They degrade voters into pawns that soak up slanted information which the media manufactures.
An example of this is the current hullabaloo over the possible election of Andy Burnham to parliament and the chance of becoming Labour leader. His values and policies are being pre-judged on, not what he says, but what headlines broadcast.
Even before Andy gets to the first step of election as MP, newspapers flurry, chastise him and make front-page accusations. They fabricate mistakes[2] he’s made even before they occur. He’s been called a fly-in candidate for this constituency, although he was born, lived, his children schooled and was twice MP there. He’s held accountable for rejoining the EU, spending money on unstated projects, inequalities, ecological problems, other parties’ gains, U-turns, etc. His policies are stated as being too weak or too strong – making the party unelectable[3].
This basket of lies becomes fact unless you dig past the headlines. But the damage is already done, as quick lies spread easier than analytic accuracy. We are being bred into stupidity.
These criticisms make the cover of all newspapers bar one or two. These tactics of slander and innuendo had been continual and were also applied to Corbyn and Starmer when they became Labour leaders. Yet Andy’s not even elected yet … someone must be afraid.
Embellishing Labour’s cracks, fictionalising major fractures[4]. The same papers give positive press time to the Tories or Reform even when they’re clearly wrong[5].
Unbelievable deceptions are constantly fed to the “free” voter. Frightened, the deceived British working classes are shoved into delusions that the Reform Party, with its populist disguise, will help them. The fact that in power Reform or the Tories will dismantle the NHS, giving profits and tax benefits to their rich associates’ companies[6]. Years of small progress will be rolled back.
Andy Burnham is a soft socialist, twice MP, popular third term current mayor of Manchester. His actions re-established public control over public transport and started the largest decline of inner-city poverty in the UK[7]. From those who’ve regularly met him, he’s honest, open to listening and discussion, has practical left-wing plans and could reunite the Labour party, defeating Reform[8]. This is good for working people.
Meanwhile newspapers magnify fears, fertilising the upsurge in dangerous right-wing politics in UK. So, who promotes this (mis)information?
Newspapers, consistently supporting Tory and Reform parties sell about 7,070,000 copies daily. Centralist, less aligned, papers sell only 784,000- about 11% of right-wing production. On TV, radio and online there is a similar proportion[9]. The supposedly unbiased BBC online is quickly sliding rightwards, regularly citing these right-wing headlines over balanced reporting.
All this congeals as parties attempt to emulate Trump’s obfuscating actions. The average working person has little chance of getting a fair picture to make a judgement. The biases swing them to work against their own interests.
It is necessary to discern fact from malicious fantasy. Consistent vigilance and scrutiny of media information is available[10].
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR OPINIONS or HOW THE MEDIA HAS AFFECTED YOU BELOW.
[1] What Role Does Rupert Murdoch Still Play in Global Politics in 2025?, Power and scandal: how Murdoch drove the UK, US and Australia to the right | Rupert Murdoch | The Guardian, Rupert Murdoch dominated UK politics. He may be the last of his kind – POLITICO.
[2] https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2026/may/26/andy-burnhams-third-bid-for-the-labour-leadership-podcast, https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2026/may/26/andy-burnhams-third-bid-for-the-labour-leadership-podcast.
[3] Tony Blair wages war on Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting | Politics | News | Express.co.uk, Makerfield by-election will be a ‘tough fight’ for Andy Burnham, Lisa Nandy says – BBC News, and Tony Blair live: Labour bigwigs turn on ‘wrong’ ex-PM after savage attack on Keir Starmer – The Mirror, Tony Blair tells Starmer and rivals: abandon net zero and move closer to Trump | Labour | The Guardian, https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2209950/politics-live-starmer-blair
[4] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx211r9nm3lo, Corbyn slammed for ‘snippy’ Sky News interview as he refuses to back Burnham | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV | Express.co.uk
[5] Fact Check: “Drill the North Sea” won’t cut UK energy bills anytime soon – UK Fact Check Politics
[6] What NHS Reforms Has Reform UK Published And Would The…, Reform UK: A clear threat to our NHS and the health of the nation – Keep Our NHS Public, Who funds Reform UK? Inside Farage’s party’s £5m donor network
[7] Manchester shows biggest fall in inner-city deprivation in boost for Burnham | Economics | The Guardian,
[8] S Coogan (14 August 2015). “Andy Burnham is Labour’s best hope”. The Guardian. AbTomlinson (31 July 2015). “I was a ‘milifan’, now I’m a ‘fandy’ for Andy Burnham to be Labour leader”. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2026/may/26/andy-burnhams-third-bid-for-the-labour-leadership-podcast.
[9] The right-wing takeover of Britain’s media – Left Foot Forward: Leading the UK’s progressive debate, Media Bias Chart | AllSides, Political bias In The News: Left-Wing VS Right-Wing British Newspapers – Portfolio of Hope, Right-leaning online shows disproportionately reach a variety of audiences and shape political discourse and public perception | Media Matters for America.
[10] Various independent news sites include: Home – Media Revolution, Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit | The future is green: The…, openDemocracy, The Conversation UK is your most reliable trusted news. Written by academics., Leading news & media organisation uncovering the UK’s global footprint, Independent Communications Network – ICN, Migration Films, Earth: Euronews’ digital hub for planet protection & climate news. AlternativeNews.com – The Independent News Source for Free-Thinking People, Critical Times – Views of critical issues across the globe ….
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