Weekly Media Trends: Hancock's WhatsApps, PM's Brexit & Meghan & Harry's Popularity Plummets
Hancock's WhatsApp Bombshell, Harry & Meghan's American Nightmare, and Rishi's Brexit
Hancock's WhatsApps expose PR-driven government
Matt Hancock has again proven himself to be the master of his demise after The Telegraph began drip-publishing The Lockdown Files - a comprehensive report of one of the UK's most turbulent and chaotic times in history, the start of lockdown, told through the lens of private WhatsApp group messages from Hancock's archive.
It begs the question, why did Hancock hand over the keys to his messages to Isabel Oakeshott, a journalist known for delivering scoops and an ardent lockdown sceptic? Hancock tried to stage-manage his role in the UK's disastrous handling of the start of the covid pandemic via a 'tell-all' tale, Pandemic Diaries. But entrusting this 100,000 message arsenal of WhatsApp material to a journalist was an almighty self-destruct moment that has implicated many senior Tory politicians.
These Lockdown Files give a fascinating glimpse into the life of politicians, which parallels most people's working lives - who knew politicians were human and ranted about their colleagues?
But in a more sinister light, these files reveal the government's slick and controlled messaging at the top of lockdown, arguably their top priority. These politicians were more concerned with their PR than the science behind the virus. Hancock's big reveal has damaged the small bit of trust some may still have for politicians. The Files prove that the top of the government held back information, motivated by 'the optics' rather than the science.
For thousands reading these messages, with different handling of the pandemic, you may have seen loved ones earlier, visited a dying relative, or returned to school earlier for children.
So far, Hancock's reputation is in tatters post-Lockdown Files. From silly messages, flippin' comments about teachers, or ignoring eminent scientists, this is not what the great Matt Hancock rebrand project needed.
Hancock's messages have once again implicated Sir Gavin Williamson - embroiled in an ongoing row after saying teachers were 'workshy'. He has clarified his position, but the war-torn former minister is still on the recovery journey.
The surprise character that might be able to salvage their reputation is George Osborne. In 2015, when many touted him as David Cameron's successor, no one would have thought years later that his straight-talking WhatsApps to Matt Hancock would be a much-needed comedic angle in this circus and a meme (where people are laughing with him).
The Telegraph know the power of what they have, and so far, has spared Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak a big scandal, although there are simply too many messages for them to remain unscathed.
So far, we have just seen Boris' horrendous on-the-fly maths skills and hardly anything on the Rishi. The editors are likely holding back bombshell moments for Sunday's papers. So be assured, this well-marketed Telegraph campaign has more to come.
Harry and Meghan's popularity plummets in America
Despite their recent American focussed media blitz, a Newsweek poll revealed that The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are less popular than the Epstein-adjacent Duke of York in their adopted home country. As reported by The Daily Telegraph, Prince Harry’s popularity has dipped by 48 points in America since the broadcast of the Montecito based Royal’s Netflix documentary and the subsequent release of the widely mocked autobiography Spare.
Dubious claims to privacy and unappetising references to oscillating appendages aside, it is nonetheless shocking that only 26% of Americans said they didn’t like Prince Andrew, while 42% admitted to disliking his nephew. A whopping 44% felt negatively towards Meghan. So do Americans really feel warmer towards those accused of sexual misconduct than they do towards those whose worse crime is a bit of shameless self-promotion?
More likely, the sheer amount of exposure Harry and Meghan have had in the American press and (more importantly) across streaming platforms and social media has turned opinions sour. The shockwaves of toe-curling agony felt across the UK by Prince Andrew’s car crash of an interview at the hands of Emily Maitliss won’t have rippled all the way across the ocean. The American media’s often naval gazey tendencies mean that much of the population is less likely to engage with international stories that don’t touch their borders.
So maybe Prince Harry’s late-night talk show appearances weren’t the pinnacle of spectacular publicity, but without the painful images of The Duke of York (not) sweating under the steely gaze of a top-tier journalist to compare it to, you can understand why the average American might not be able to summon the same disgust for Randy Andy.
Rishi's Brexit Breakthrough
Rishi Sunak's success in negotiating a deal on the Northern Ireland protocol is being hailed as a political coup.
The named-to-sound-boring 'Windsor Framework' is vital to the Brexit agreement, and the government has branded it to make you want to avoid reading it, which won't fool the Brexiteers or Unionists.
Rishi managed to negotiate a hard-won deal which sees special exemptions for Northern Ireland and no hard borders. Rishi had a slight smile as he announced it - what he's delivered is something previous leaders failed to do. It's down to him not being combative like past prime ministers but wanting to get a settlement which works for all. Insiders say Rishi locked himself away for two days to work on this deal - a level of detail alien to Boris.
On Boris, he has already signalled he doesn't like it - but he wouldn't if it wasn't his success. Rishi's win is an egg on the face moment for Boris; however, Boris' backers will likely vote against it.
So as lawyers and politicians trawl through every word, it's safe to say this is a success for the prime minister - but will it be enough for the hardliners? Only time will tell.
With Labour support, it will pass in the Commons, and a new era of relations is set to commence. This landmark moment and the successful negotiation could pave the way for a more positive and productive relationship between the UK and the EU as both sides continue to navigate the post-Brexit era.