POLITICS OF MARKETING THE LABOUR PARTY

Labour has been using marketing longer than is commonly realised. Leading figures like Morrison, Snowden, Webb, Gaitskell, Benn and Wilson were among those who recognised the importance of imagery and symbolism long before the time of Kinnock, Mandelson and Blair. Where there has been change is in the way advertising, public relations and most importantly market research experts increasingly came to dominate the way the party understood itself and society. The Politics of Marketing the Labour Party traces how Labour's political communication has developed since its birth and how the increasing use of marketing has contributed to the radical restructuring of both the organisation and its policies.