The relationship between the media and politics has always been a close one. Some would say it is inevitably symbiotic, others view it more negatively and consider it more incestuous. Good or bad, the fact is that a large number of journalists have always entered into politics and next year is no exception. There is an impressive number of prospective MPs standing in target or retirement seats at the 2015 General Election that have worked in journalism or the media in other roles, demonstrating once again the close relationship between the two professions.
The 22 parliamentary candidates listed below account for around 10 per cent of all candidates in potentially winnable seats. In 2010 around 5 per cent of the new intake of MPs had experience of working in the media (with around 7 per cent in 1997), so we’ll have to wait until the results are known on 8 May to see whether there is any developing trend. By party, 14 per cent (9 candidates) of winnable Conservatives have worked in the sector, compared to 8 per cent of Labour (11) candidates. The remaining two candidates are from the Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru. Exactly half (eleven) of the candidates have worked for the BBC at some point in their careers.
The candidates in target or retirement seats that have worked in the media as a journalist or in other roles are:
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