The local elections are now less than two months away. With elections happening across much of Yorkshire, as well as the country at large, they will not only be an opportunity for locals to choose who makes crucial decisions at the local level, but a key barometer of public opinion on the state of politics.
Join us on 31 March, for a webinar on electoral journalism. Together, a team from across the network will cover how to target local areas, what issues will be important on the campaign trail, and how to get your eye under the hood of local politics.
Tickets for the webinar can be booked here free of charge.
The panel
Three Bylines Network citizen journalists will be presenting on the panel:
Jane Thomas: Jane, a regular writer for Yorkshire Bylines, has had her finger on the pulse of local politics for years. A specialist in South Yorkshire politics, Jane will be discussing how best to network with local parties, and what issues will be important in the upcoming election. Be sure to check out Jane’s pieces on:
- How Yorkshire red wall seats are feeling after Partygate
- Coverage of the dispute between Lord Moylan and the Yorkshire Post.
- Reporting on the Cities Outlook 2022 report on the state of the high street.
Scott Hunter: Scott writes for North East Bylines, with a primary focus on the politics of the Tees Valley. Scott’s specialism is document-digging and election finance, and he has frequently gone deep into the governance arrangements of local contractors, and the inter-linked webs between politicians and business in the area. Scott will be discussing election finance. Be sure to check out Scott’s work on:
- Links between local MPs and Russian money.
- A dispute between local Conservatives over planning.
- Accusations of sexual assault against Cleveland’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
Alex Toal: Alex has written for both Yorkshire Bylines and Central Bylines, and is currently coordinating the Bylines Network’s local elections project in Birmingham for the Public Interest News Foundation. Having spent weeks making local connections there, Alex will discuss how to get embedded in local areas, and also how to find target areas to cover at the local level. Be sure to check out Alex’s pieces on:
- Candidate announcements for the Allens Cross ward the Network is covering.
- Funding pots from the Commonwealth Games helping local communities.
- Voter fatigue at the local level.
The webinar will go on from 7pm until 8:30pm on Thursday 31 March, with presentations from the panellists and a short question and answer session at the end.
