From traditional speechwriting to social media campaigning, this course examines the various methods of communication used by modern politicians to get their ideas across to the British public.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This course will cover a range of methods of communication used by politicians and political parties in recent and contemporary British politics. The course will assess these methods and their effectiveness in shaping and setting the ongoing political agenda. It will also review how successful election campaigns were conducted, how governments connect with the media, and assess recent developments in social media.
What will we cover?
Political communication and rhetoric: key methods and effectiveness of political communication in recent British politics. This will include a review of traditional political messaging and speechwriting in post-war British politics, including print and broadcasting and developments over time.
Electoral strategy and communications, including an assessment of successful election campaigns from the Conservative victory in 1979 to the recent Labour landslide in 2024.
Governments and relations with the media and the shaping of the political agenda, including political spin. There will be an assessment of the British media, including ownership, bias and the role of public broadcasters such as the BBC and Channel 4.
Recent developments in political communications, including social media campaigning, misinformation and ‘fake news’, and data analytics including targeted political advertising.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Identify methods employed by politicians and evaluate the effectiveness of these methods in shaping political opinion.
Analyse the use of the media and the political message from the new television age to social media.
Discuss the relationship between the media and government or party communication structures.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is introductory, and everyone is welcome. No prior knowledge is necessary but a good grasp of English, an open mind, and a willingness to listen to different views are all that is required.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be delivered through a mixture of lecture and discussion, with student participation invited and encouraged.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs, but you may wish to bring a pen and paper, or digital equivalents, for making notes.
Ian has taught in Adult Education in London from 1996. He holds a degree in Economics and a MSc in Politics and Administration from Birkbeck College, University of London. Ian is highly committed to adult and continuing learning and has taught politics and political history courses at Morley College and Richmond Adult and Community College and Hillcroft College, in addition to Citylit. Ian has held both teaching and academic management roles including the development of humanities courses that engage and inform students in areas including History and Politics and provide opportunities to progress to further study. He has specialised in teaching a range of courses in politics and current affairs focusing on UK governance and developments in the UK constitution. He has also taught courses on domestic and foreign policy, political parties, and assessments of political leadership. He has also taught on Access to Higher Education Courses that prepare student for degree level study.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/communication-in-modern-british-politics2998088Communication in modern British politicshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/essentials-british-politics-hpc132-1024.jpg129129GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/British politics & society228511771677135361228511771677<p>From traditional speechwriting to social media campaigning, this course examines the various methods of communication used by modern politicians to get their ideas across to the British public.</p>002998079Communication in modern British politics129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/essentials-british-politics-hpc132-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-05-07T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHPC283129129Communication in modern British politics10384129Ian McGarviecommunication-in-modern-british-politics/hpc283-2526<p>From traditional speechwriting to social media campaigning, this course examines the various methods of communication used by modern politicians to get their ideas across to the British public.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-07 00:00:00<p>This course will cover a range of methods of communication used by politicians and political parties in recent and contemporary British politics. The course will assess these methods and their effectiveness in shaping and setting the ongoing political agenda. It will also review how successful election campaigns were conducted, how governments connect with the media, and assess recent developments in social media.</p><p>From traditional speechwriting to social media campaigning, this course examines the various methods of communication used by modern politicians to get their ideas across to the British public.</p><p>Political communication and rhetoric: key methods and effectiveness of political communication in recent British politics. This will include a review of traditional political messaging and speechwriting in post-war British politics, including print and broadcasting and developments over time.</p><p> Electoral strategy and communications, including an assessment of successful election campaigns from the Conservative victory in 1979 to the recent Labour landslide in 2024.</p><p>Governments and relations with the media and the shaping of the political agenda, including political spin. There will be an assessment of the British media, including ownership, bias and the role of public broadcasters such as the BBC and Channel 4.</p><p>Recent developments in political communications, including social media campaigning, misinformation and ‘fake news’, and data analytics including targeted political advertising.</p><ul><li>Identify methods employed by politicians and evaluate the effectiveness of these methods in shaping political opinion.</li><li>Analyse the use of the media and the political message from the new television age to social media.</li><li>Discuss the relationship between the media and government or party communication structures.</li></ul><p>This course is introductory, and everyone is welcome. No prior knowledge is necessary but a good grasp of English, an open mind, and a willingness to listen to different views are all that is required.</p><p>The course will be delivered through a mixture of lecture and discussion, with student participation invited and encouraged. </p><p>There are no additional costs, but you may wish to bring a pen and paper, or digital equivalents, for making notes.</p><p>There are a range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Politics, Economics & Current Affairs Courses</a> on offer focusing on the forthcoming general election and more broader subjects and content.</p>Politics & economicsBritish politics & societyvirtual10312984HPC283NONEThu07/05/26 - 28/05/2610:15 - 12:1510:1512:154 sessions (over 4 weeks)41 to 4 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetIan McGarvieBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-05-07T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities129129Communication in modern British politicscommunication-in-modern-british-politics/hpc283-2526<p>From traditional speechwriting to social media campaigning, this course examines the various methods of communication used by modern politicians to get their ideas across to the British public.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-07 00:00:00<p>This course will cover a range of methods of communication used by politicians and political parties in recent and contemporary British politics. The course will assess these methods and their effectiveness in shaping and setting the ongoing political agenda. It will also review how successful election campaigns were conducted, how governments connect with the media, and assess recent developments in social media.</p><p>From traditional speechwriting to social media campaigning, this course examines the various methods of communication used by modern politicians to get their ideas across to the British public.</p><p>Political communication and rhetoric: key methods and effectiveness of political communication in recent British politics. This will include a review of traditional political messaging and speechwriting in post-war British politics, including print and broadcasting and developments over time.</p><p> Electoral strategy and communications, including an assessment of successful election campaigns from the Conservative victory in 1979 to the recent Labour landslide in 2024.</p><p>Governments and relations with the media and the shaping of the political agenda, including political spin. There will be an assessment of the British media, including ownership, bias and the role of public broadcasters such as the BBC and Channel 4.</p><p>Recent developments in political communications, including social media campaigning, misinformation and ‘fake news’, and data analytics including targeted political advertising.</p><ul><li>Identify methods employed by politicians and evaluate the effectiveness of these methods in shaping political opinion.</li><li>Analyse the use of the media and the political message from the new television age to social media.</li><li>Discuss the relationship between the media and government or party communication structures.</li></ul><p>This course is introductory, and everyone is welcome. No prior knowledge is necessary but a good grasp of English, an open mind, and a willingness to listen to different views are all that is required.</p><p>The course will be delivered through a mixture of lecture and discussion, with student participation invited and encouraged. </p><p>There are no additional costs, but you may wish to bring a pen and paper, or digital equivalents, for making notes.</p><p>There are a range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Politics, Economics &amp; Current Affairs Courses</a> on offer focusing on the forthcoming general election and more broader subjects and content.</p>Politics & economicsBritish politics & societyconfigurable
135361677British politics & societyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs/british-politics-society1/2/285/1177/1677/135361/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/British politics & society
