Tax, trip-ups, and transgressions: Reporting the 2024 UK General Election

Abstract This contribution examines British mainstream news reporting of the 2024 UK General Election. The analysis shows the two main parties' share of coverage exceeded their actual vote share by some margin, the first time this has occurred in the last seven campaigns. Levels of policy content was also low compared with previous elections and the substantive agenda was disconnected from voter priorities. Analysis of GB News, a new television channel that has positioned itself as a broadcasting alternative, revealed editorial patterns that aligned closely with those found in newspaper reporting. In national press coverage, criticism of the incumbent Conservative government was counterbalanced by negativity towards Labour. The 2024 campaign saw a dealignment rather than a realignment in press partisanship.