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How to Win an Election: A Panorama Guide

The story of how politicians abandoned the soapbox for the studio and how television has changed British politics, with the help of six decades of archive from Panorama.

In the 1950s, politicians cared little for what Churchill called the 'idiot's lantern'. Now television is central to a political leader's image and his chances of winning an election.

This is the story of how politicians abandoned the soapbox for the studio - from the early performances of the two Harolds, Macmillan and Wilson, through the TV campaigns of Margaret Thatcher to the spin-doctored presentation of Tony Blair. Has television finally reduced our politicians to actors spouting soundbites?

With six decades of fascinating archive from television's longest running current affairs programme - Panorama - this is the story of how television has changed British politics.

1 hour

Last on

Sat 8 May 2010 23:30

Credits

Role Contributor
Producer Anna Lloyd
Executive Producer Martin Wilson

Broadcasts