Lack of Centralised Record-Keeping for MPs' E-Newsletters Raises Concerns
A lack of centralised record-keeping for legislators' e-newsletters has sparked concern, particularly in the era of misinformation. These newsletters, sent directly by MPs to their constituents, offer unfiltered insights into their views and priorities.
In both the UK and Australia, e-newsletters have been utilised to varying degrees. Between November 2023 and May 2024, only 32% of UK MPs and 35% of Australian MPs sent at least one e-newsletter. Centre-right parties were more likely to use this communication tool than their centre-left counterparts.
The content of these newsletters varied significantly. In the UK, Conservative MPs focused more on the election until polling day, while in Australia, some MPs chose to highlight niche or local issues, or even distance themselves from their party leader. This diversity in messaging allows MPs to express their personality and engage constituents using humour.
Two new datasets, CanberraInbox and UK MP Inbox, have been created to study these e-newsletters. These resources, developed by the Australian National University and the University of Oxford respectively, will enable researchers to explore political communication, policy emphasis, and the influence of e-newsletters on constituents. Future research aims to delve into the readership and impact of these newsletters on political participation and voting behaviour.
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