Labour & press relations

Andrew Neil’s blog, which on the main criticised what he saw as Darling’s optimistic economic forecasting, made an interesting point about media relations.

One thing is clear to me: this Budget may or may not mark the end of New Labour but it certainly marks the end of the Murdoch newspapers' dalliance with New Labour.

If this is the case, which I suspect it is, then this surely is the end of the Labour government’s reign. The papers’ response to the budget suggests so too.

One thing stands in Brown’s favour, the declining circulation of Murdoch’s papers. Although by even mentioning that I feel that I have overstated the case. Although the might of Murdoch’s press empire might not be what it once was, his influence is still immense.