Labour MPs Crack the Code of Viral Success with Biscuits and Brains
In a bid to connect with constituents in the digital age, Labour MPs are taking to social media platforms like X (Twitter) to share simplistic yet compelling explanations of complex economic issues. For Glasgow South MP Gordon McKee, it all started with an unlikely analogy - stacks of biscuits.
McKee's 101-second video demonstrating the UK's debt-to-GDP ratio using custard creams and chocolate bourbons has racked up over 3.3 million views, making him a pioneer in using digital content to convey complex ideas to a wider audience. The Labour MP's strategy is not just about short-form videos but also about leveraging platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts to reach beyond the politically hyper-engaged.
McKee's approach has inspired some of his colleagues, including Leeds East MP Richard Burgon, who used 200 packets of pasta to explain how £1 billion compares to the average UK salary. The video garnered nearly 650,000 views on X, with Burgon reporting that constituents were eager to engage with him after watching it.
Other MPs, such as Loughborough's Jeevun Sandher and Treasury exchequer secretary Dan Tomlinson, are also experimenting with social media, producing content that showcases their personalities and expertise. The Labour party machine is investing in digital training programs to help its MPs develop this skill further, with Keir Starmer announcing a comprehensive training initiative last month.
While it's unclear whether this new approach will yield electoral success for Labour, the party recognizes the importance of modernizing its communication strategy. With several junior ministers and cabinet members getting involved in social media, the tone is set for a digital-first campaign season.
The success of Labour MPs on X (Twitter) may serve as a model for other parties to follow, but it's also worth noting that right-wing politicians like Nigel Farage have been using similar tactics to great effect. As McKee pointed out, the challenge for progressives lies in articulating complex arguments in an engaging and realistic way.
For now, Labour MPs are embracing this new world of digital communication, armed with biscuits as their unlikely mascot. Only time will tell if this unorthodox approach will yield tangible results at the polls.
In a bid to connect with constituents in the digital age, Labour MPs are taking to social media platforms like X (Twitter) to share simplistic yet compelling explanations of complex economic issues. For Glasgow South MP Gordon McKee, it all started with an unlikely analogy - stacks of biscuits.
McKee's 101-second video demonstrating the UK's debt-to-GDP ratio using custard creams and chocolate bourbons has racked up over 3.3 million views, making him a pioneer in using digital content to convey complex ideas to a wider audience. The Labour MP's strategy is not just about short-form videos but also about leveraging platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts to reach beyond the politically hyper-engaged.
McKee's approach has inspired some of his colleagues, including Leeds East MP Richard Burgon, who used 200 packets of pasta to explain how £1 billion compares to the average UK salary. The video garnered nearly 650,000 views on X, with Burgon reporting that constituents were eager to engage with him after watching it.
Other MPs, such as Loughborough's Jeevun Sandher and Treasury exchequer secretary Dan Tomlinson, are also experimenting with social media, producing content that showcases their personalities and expertise. The Labour party machine is investing in digital training programs to help its MPs develop this skill further, with Keir Starmer announcing a comprehensive training initiative last month.
While it's unclear whether this new approach will yield electoral success for Labour, the party recognizes the importance of modernizing its communication strategy. With several junior ministers and cabinet members getting involved in social media, the tone is set for a digital-first campaign season.
The success of Labour MPs on X (Twitter) may serve as a model for other parties to follow, but it's also worth noting that right-wing politicians like Nigel Farage have been using similar tactics to great effect. As McKee pointed out, the challenge for progressives lies in articulating complex arguments in an engaging and realistic way.
For now, Labour MPs are embracing this new world of digital communication, armed with biscuits as their unlikely mascot. Only time will tell if this unorthodox approach will yield tangible results at the polls.
I mean, who knew biscuits could be so educational? Gordon McKee's video about debt-to-GDP ratio is literally mind-blowing. And Richard Burgon's pasta thingy is hilarious too 
. But seriously, it's great to see them being authentic and showing their personalities online.
. I'm loving this digital-first approach, btw. The party's investing in training programs for its MPs, which is awesome. Can't wait to see what other creative content they come up with. Maybe we'll even get some more biscuit analogies 
. Fingers crossed it pays off! 
And what about when people start to see right through the analogy? Like, who hasn't eaten a whole pack of biscuits in one sitting and then thought "wait a minute, this doesn't actually work like that"? 
The fact that these MPs are experimenting with different platforms like Instagram and TikTok shows they're willing to adapt and innovate, which is great to see.
. I mean, what's next? Using cookies to explain tax law? It's all good for a laugh, but when it comes down to it, do these MPs really have the expertise to back up their simplistic explanations? 
. The biscuit analogy is genius, who knew economics could be fun? 
The idea that it's not just about short-form vids but also Instagram and TikTok is spot on, those platforms are where the youth are 
. It's interesting to see how other parties might follow suit or even try to one-up them with their own digital campaigns 
. One thing for sure,Labour is definitely trying something different this election season, fingers crossed it pays off! 
- who knew economics could be so yummy? 
I mean, it's not just about sharing simple vids, but also about building a personal brand and showcasing their expertise. Richard Burgon's pasta pasta 
vid was pretty lit too 
.
!
like wot happens wen ur in debt lol! i mean, custard creams and choc bourbons r a great combo 
On a positive note, though, if Labour can find a way to make complex issues palatable for the masses, that's definitely a step in the right direction 
. But let's not get ahead of ourselves - we need to see some concrete results before we can say this approach is a winner 
does it really help explain complex issues in a way that resonates with people or is it just a bunch of novelty nonsense? 
personally, i'd rather see labour mp's focus on in-depth policy discussions and less on social media gimmicks. and isn't this just the same old "connect with constituents" thing we've been hearing for years? 
still, if it works, who cares? 
btw, dan tomlinson using instagram is a big departure from his usual image... 
but hey, at least they're trying something new and engaging 
. But let's be real, it's not just about the biscuits - it's about how they're using digital platforms to actually deliver meaningful policy changes. We need to see more substance behind these social media clips, you know? It's easy to make a viral video with biscuits, but can Labour MPs really back it up with concrete plans for economic reform?
But at the same time, I do hope it's not just about short-term views and likes. Can they really make this digital strategy stick for the long haul? 
seriously though, it's good to see them trying to connect with constituents in the digital age, but let's not forget that social media isn't a magic bullet for electoral success. i'm all for digital training programs and experimentation, but we need to focus on substance over clicks