Labour activists are being summoned, as Momentum is currently putting its press training in action.
The organisation is striving to teach supporters how to effectively promote its cause – the aim is to make an impression on older voters in particular by using a strong marketing strategy.
The Momentum group are in full swing with their training and are now encouraging activists to pitch stories to local papers in order to increase both recognition and support for their efforts.
The programme will involve prompting like-minded individuals to place news stories in local newspapers, and this is a key focus for Momentum, because there have been concerns that the media wasn’t used to its full advantage in the last general election.
The training will include all of the basics, namely the essentials and importance of pitching relevant and accurate news items to the regional press, and maintaining relationships with journalists to keep them in the loop of their movements with fresh material about relevant events, campaigns and protests.
The Labour-supporting campaign group will soon be rolled out on a nationwide scale to approximately 40 constituencies across the autumn season.
The sessions are to be held at party meetings or standalone events, and follow-ups will be accessible to those requiring more information.
Laura Parker, National Coordinator of Momentum, spoke out about this project: “Momentum is launching a press training programme in order to help Labour members platform local campaigns and empower ordinary people to use their local media to hold Conservative MPs to account.
“The Tories paid for four-page adverts in local newspapers in areas they were targeting at the last election because they know the importance of local media. We need a strategy to counter this – but one that works by promoting quality journalism and real political debate, not buying up front pages.”
The thought process behind this is that using newspapers will enable Momentum to reach older voters, particularly those who are not as familiar with social media platforms.
> Hannah Montgomery
