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What's the link between Nigel Farage, Lord Beaverbrook and Aristotle? What's the link between Nigel Farage, Lord Beaverbrook and Aristotle?
(6 months later)
I wrote a piece last week about the way in which The Sun is bringing Ukip in from the cold, gradually giving it greater legitimacy.I wrote a piece last week about the way in which The Sun is bringing Ukip in from the cold, gradually giving it greater legitimacy.
I went so far as to suggest that it was even possible to imagine the paper backing Nigel Farage's party in the 2015 general election.I went so far as to suggest that it was even possible to imagine the paper backing Nigel Farage's party in the 2015 general election.
In the three days since my blog I've noted examples in several papers of the way in which Ukip is being covered by almost every national newspaper, including The Guardian (see here), as if it were a mainstream party.In the three days since my blog I've noted examples in several papers of the way in which Ukip is being covered by almost every national newspaper, including The Guardian (see here), as if it were a mainstream party.
We have been here before, however. In 1996, James Goldsmith launched the Referendum party specifically aimed at removing Britain from the European Union. It also managed to get a fair share of media coverage, not least because of Goldsmith's flamboyant personality.We have been here before, however. In 1996, James Goldsmith launched the Referendum party specifically aimed at removing Britain from the European Union. It also managed to get a fair share of media coverage, not least because of Goldsmith's flamboyant personality.
But, as this chart shows, most of the right-of-centre, Eurosceptic press (such as The Times, Daily Telegraph and Daily Express) stuck with the Tories. The Sun famously backed Tony Blair.But, as this chart shows, most of the right-of-centre, Eurosceptic press (such as The Times, Daily Telegraph and Daily Express) stuck with the Tories. The Sun famously backed Tony Blair.
Looking further back, as I'm reminded by a commentary on the pro-EU site, British Influence, there is some similarity in the press enthusiasm for Ukip and the political ambitions of two press barons in the 1930s.Looking further back, as I'm reminded by a commentary on the pro-EU site, British Influence, there is some similarity in the press enthusiasm for Ukip and the political ambitions of two press barons in the 1930s.
Lords Beaverbook and Rothermere were enthusiasts for the United Empire party, which called for a fiscal union of the British empire and the raising of tariff barriers against goods from rival trading blocks.Lords Beaverbook and Rothermere were enthusiasts for the United Empire party, which called for a fiscal union of the British empire and the raising of tariff barriers against goods from rival trading blocks.
This daft political enterprise, backed by their respective newspapers - the Daily Express and Daily Mail - came to nothing. The episode illustrated the limited influence of press proprietors in such political interventions, yet it was one of the reasons that the then prime minister, Stanley Baldwin, famously accused them in 1931 of exercising "power without responsibility."This daft political enterprise, backed by their respective newspapers - the Daily Express and Daily Mail - came to nothing. The episode illustrated the limited influence of press proprietors in such political interventions, yet it was one of the reasons that the then prime minister, Stanley Baldwin, famously accused them in 1931 of exercising "power without responsibility."
It's also a reminder that single-issue poujadist-style parties have never gained much traction in Britain. Could Ukip break that pattern?It's also a reminder that single-issue poujadist-style parties have never gained much traction in Britain. Could Ukip break that pattern?
The difference this time around is that the right-of-centre press is disenchanted with the Conservatives and unsure whether the prime minister, David Cameron, is dedicated enough to an anti-EU agenda.The difference this time around is that the right-of-centre press is disenchanted with the Conservatives and unsure whether the prime minister, David Cameron, is dedicated enough to an anti-EU agenda.
And, unlike the 1930s or Goldsmith's 1996 campaign, the publishers and editors are aware of the groundswell of Eurosceptic (and anti-immigrant) feeling among the public - itself partly generated by their own coverage of both issues.And, unlike the 1930s or Goldsmith's 1996 campaign, the publishers and editors are aware of the groundswell of Eurosceptic (and anti-immigrant) feeling among the public - itself partly generated by their own coverage of both issues.
Incidentally, according to the British Influence article, newspaper readers "should understand that they are faced with an immensely clever ensemble leveraging the old Aristotle triptych of political persuasion: first legitimise your leader (ethos), second propagate your message (logos), third trigger the emotions of your audience (pathos)."Incidentally, according to the British Influence article, newspaper readers "should understand that they are faced with an immensely clever ensemble leveraging the old Aristotle triptych of political persuasion: first legitimise your leader (ethos), second propagate your message (logos), third trigger the emotions of your audience (pathos)."
You might want to consult this academic summary to grasp the point. Presumably, Nigel Farage has done that already.You might want to consult this academic summary to grasp the point. Presumably, Nigel Farage has done that already.
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