Sun switches support to Tories

[nichomach]

Let's face it, for certainly the last 30 or more years, The Sun's been a conservative (note, small 'c') rag; the only reason that they went with Labour in the first place was because a) the Conservatives were so deeply unpopular by '97 that they'd have lost sales by not going that way, and b) New Labour were making Tory-ish noises themselves which made them easier to tolerate. Personally, I think they're just reverting to type, which is hardly surprising. I would say that it's more the case that they're following opinion rather than leading it.

[cptwhite_uk]

To be honest, the whole idea that the Sun felt it acceptable to print this right after Brown's speech is both depressing, tasteless and I hope under-estimates the majority of people in the UK.

The whole drama over this whole story really depresses me. Just who the **** do they think they are, and why should we give a **** what they support. I read the article on their website. This is clearly done for two reasons:

Firstly and most importantly, to boost readership numbers, by way of free publicity for the paper. I've heard the words "The Sun" over a dozen times already today already on the radio, on TV and in gossip between people.

Secondly, it's just a popularity move. We all know the Sun is centre-right paper anyway 'BNP lite' isn't that far away from correctly identifying them. They only supported Labour while they were popular - that says a lot about their reasoning for this announcement, it has nothing to do with politics, and everything to do with being the voice of 'the man in the street'.

The rag hasn't changed it's colours, it's always been blue, but now it's just admitting it because red isn't even popular, so why pretend any longer?

I just hope the flamboyant gesturing majorly backfires on them, and people choose not to be dictated too.

Edit: Check out their 8 reasons for justifying the switch. All of which completely ignore the bigger picture in their respective issues, very selective bull****.

Secondly, I recommend everyone logs onto their website and partakes in their "who will you vote for poll" and put labour. Conviniently they aren't showing the result of this poll, in case of a massive own goal.

[Revilgo]

Can't remember if I've ever bought The Sun in the past and if I do pick it up at the barbers its straight to page 3.

But on a more serious note, I just can't stomach Blair-lite, marketing man Cameron and the new Conservative sound bite "This is it", or some such. I'll rather take dour Brown over same old smarminess a la Blair any day and no matter which party does eventually get elected, I just can't see them throwing the book at the City. We'll just have more of the same old, same old.

The only thing that'll give me pause is Mandelson, but then again maybe now is exactly when we need the "Prince of Darkness", who knows. But please, anything but the BNP.

[TooNice]

Are all newspapers politically affiliated?

[emzallan]

It's certainly not an over-riding factor, but I think it'd be a mistake to think this isn't damaging for Brown and NL. If nothing else, it's symbolically significant and a kick in the crotch for Brown's attempt to fire up the troops .... and no doubt was deliberately timed for maximum impact.

If Sun readers are as thick as some posts above suggest (and on which I refrain from expressing - excuse the pun - an opinion, by virtue of not personally knowing anyone that will admit to ever having touched a copy of the Sun, much less having actually read it) .... but if their readers really are that stupid, then it's even more likely that a constant barrage on negative spin on NL and positive spin on the Tories will have a cumulative and vote-affecting result.

Yes I completely agree, I never meant to suggest that it wasn't damaging, I was more just debating the general influence of the media, and I do think it has some impact, Certainly those that don't have firm political views are more likely to be influenced.

And yes generally most papers in the UK have a policial affiliation of some sort, but it is usually an editorial line. So for example Telegraph and Daily Mail are Conservative/ Right wing while the Guardian/ Daily Mirror are Left/ Labour. Some papers such as the Sun and the Times have famously switched. Usually though at any one given point a newspaper will have a broadly left or right wing viewpoint. There is no obligation for newspapers to be impartial (if it is ever truely possible) unlike the broadcast media.

[simonfitba]

Are all newspapers politically affiliated?

Yes, except The Independent.

[MadduckUK]

did anyone else think this meant sun microsystems?

[Lucio]

Yes, except The Independent.

Lies! The Independant supports the Lib Dems, just because they support an unpopular party doesn't hide the fact they support one

[santa claus]

I hope this won't mean Dave Cam and the boys will be on Page 3.

And I'll take my clothes off and it will be shameless
'Cuz everyone knows that's how you get famous
I'll look at The Sun and I'll look in the mirror
I'm on the right track, yeah I'm on to a winner

[Behemoth]

The sun is good for two things only. Page 3, and wiping your bottom on it if your desperate.

[TheAnimus]

the ink comes off......

[cptwhite_uk]

I suddenly have a vision of a builder with an imprint of some 19 year olds silicon enhanced tits popping out of his builders bum as he bends over.

[Saracen]

I suddenly have a vision of a builder with an imprint of some 19 year olds silicon enhanced tits popping out of his builders bum as he bends over.

And I think for the sake of forum standards, we can stop that particular line of speculation right there, before someone goes too far over the line.

I've already gained a mental image that's putting me off my bacon roll at lunchtime. I shudder to think where we'd go next.

[cptwhite_uk]

Agreed

[JPreston]

Lies! The Independant supports the Lib Dems, just because they support an unpopular party doesn't hide the fact they support one

They might as call themselves 'The Liberal Democrat' and be done with it.

That The Sun (the paper for ignorant and dimwitted xenophobic bigots) should support the Tories (the party for ignorant and dimwitted xenophobic bigots) is no surprise. Maybe Murdoch can share tips on how to avoid UK tax with the famously foreign-domiciled Tory chairman (whose name I refuse to remember on the basis that he is so odious).

[SeriousSam]

That The Sun (the paper for ignorant and dimwitted xenophobic bigots) should support the Tories (the party for ignorant and dimwitted xenophobic bigots) is no surprise.

Ok I am definately going to take issue with that statement...

First off if you were to assess supporters of the main parties aginst those three criteria; Ignorant, Dimwitted & Xenophobic then in descending order of "most like" then it would be,

1. Labour
2. Conservatives
3. Liberal Democrats

Secondly (taking account that all parties have the above idiots) then the real idealogical difference between the parties is as follows;

1. Labour - Big Government
2. Conservatives - Small Government
3. Lib Dems - Big and Small (small at home yet ruled from afar by big EU government)

Finally, and I can be corrected if I'm wrong but haven't the worst perpertrators of xenophobia and genocide been Socialists to start!!