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Labour Turns to Short-Form Policy Explainers After Biscuit Video Draws 3.3m Views

The party is rolling out digital training under 'Operation Second Term' to professionalise outreach before 2029.

Overview

  • Gordon McKee, the MP for Glasgow South, used custard creams and bourbons to illustrate the UK’s debt-to-GDP ratio, drawing more than 3.3 million views.
  • He says he will post similar videos weekly, prioritising Instagram, TikTok and YouTube Shorts to reach audiences beyond the politically hyper-engaged.
  • Keir Starmer emailed MPs on 21 November announcing significant investment in a comprehensive digital campaigning training programme.
  • Labour is modernising its operation through an internal initiative dubbed Operation Second Term, including use of the Labour One app and expanded social media tactics.
  • Other figures are adopting the approach, including Richard Burgon’s 200-pack fusilli explainer and informal clips by ministers Dan Tomlinson, Kanishka Narayan, Steve Reed and Ed Miliband.