Here are the 10 most influential UK MPs on Twitter
Donald Trump isn’t the only politician who feels he doesn’t get a fair deal from the mainstream media, and for politicians wanting to reach beyond the tabloids and the broadsheets, Twitter is an essential tool.
So who’s getting it right? Many of the top 10 MPs won’t surprise you, but there are some notable names who didn’t make the list, compiled by Brandwatch.
Jacob Rees-Mogg for example, famed for his Instagram account, doesn’t command quite the same clout on Twitter. Here are the politicians who beat him into the top 10:
1. Jeremy Corbyn
Followers: 1.5m
It’s perhaps unsurprising that Corbyn, who has a large amount of support from young people, is the most influential MP on Twitter. The Labour leader is fairly sincere on Twitter (proving you don’t need to have sass to be popular), and like many other politicians, uses it as a way to circumnavigate unfavourable press coverage and get his message to his followers.
The right-wing press don’t like us because our movement challenges unaccountable power of both government and bosses. #TUC17 pic.twitter.com/Q8ifkmndZn— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) September 12, 2017
2. Theresa May
Followers: 380,000
The Prime Minister may have been criticised for her lack of personality during the General Election campaign (earning her the nick-name the “Maybot”), but she has a substantial following on Twitter, and uses it as a platform to publish political statements and official responses to natural disasters and security threats.
My visit to Japan marks a great step forward in our shared vision of even deeper cooperation in the future. pic.twitter.com/WHHDs0gJMc— Theresa May (@theresa_may) August 31, 2017
3. Boris Johnson
Followers: 358,000
Foreign secretary Boris Johnson has a powerful persona and has been accused of “backseat driving” over Brexit in recent days, but for all his bluster he’s still behind the PM on Twitter. There are plenty of pictures of Bojo on official business in his feed, and as you can imagine, he doesn’t tread lightly when he feels strongly on a particular subject.
#Diageo’s #Guinness brewery in Lagos is symbol of 🇬🇧- 🇳🇬 trade w/ barley coming from UK & tasty Foreign Extra Stout heading out to the world pic.twitter.com/oudWAblMPT— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 31, 2017
Outraged at reckless provocation by #NorthKorea. Strongly condemn latest illegal missile launch by #DPRK— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 28, 2017
4. Diane Abbott
Followers: 180,000
The shadow home secretary receives more abuse than any other politician online, and has spoken frankly about the difficulties she has faced, especially in the run-up to the General Election. But she remains undeterred on Twitter, and is the second-most popular Labour MP on the platform (in a pretty crowded field).
Sounds familiar… https://t.co/feUrBzFHKs— Diane Abbott (@HackneyAbbott) September 19, 2017
5. Ed Miliband
Followers: 685,000
The former Labour leader has really let go since stepping back from the front bench and uses Twitter as his main outlet for his general sass. He uses the platform to directly attack his political opponents, and it turns out he’s quite funny too.
Boris Johnson comments abt the “split allegiances” of young people is odious ‘cricket test’ Tebbitry. Internationalism is not unpatriotic.— Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) September 16, 2017
It’s time to unite lovers of Buttons and Freddos. There can be justice for both.— Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) September 13, 2017
I can think of no higher compliment https://t.co/T1FpLzWffY— Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) July 18, 2017
6. Caroline Lucas
Followers: 262,000
The Green party may not wield much influence in parliament, but the party’s MP Caroline Lucas certainly has a lot of power online. As with Corbyn, she appeals to young people, but she’s actually a bit more fiery than the Labour leader on Twitter, making more direct take-downs of those she disagrees with.
“Johnson is insult to our collective intelligence & his continued presence as foreign secretary is insult to nation” – spot on @OwenJones84 https://t.co/oYPtt72t9r— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) September 20, 2017
You’re getting the hang of it…#Brexit #powergrab https://t.co/rLRGOOgEXf— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) September 11, 2017
Let me get this straight – Govt has no policy on when it will nuke someone & would justify an attack as self defence….. pic.twitter.com/1cYAku7UNy— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) September 7, 2017
7. Chuka Umunna
Followers: 226,000
The Labour MP for Streatham has been using Twitter to maximise his exposure now he’s moved onto the backbench. In particular, he promotes his stance on Brexit, calling for the UK to remain in the single market and the customs union.
Boris said we’d gain £350m a week by leaving the EU, when we will actually lose £300m a week. Over a year, he is out by £33.8bn. pic.twitter.com/82bSGpb5JR— Chuka Umunna (@ChukaUmunna) September 20, 2017
8. Tom Watson
Followers: 238,000
There have been rumours of a rift between Corbyn Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson in the past, but online Watson certainly uses Corbyn’s appeal to bolster his own, and puts up a united front.
Back of the net, Jezza. https://t.co/YjRpGWlQQV— Tom Watson (@tom_watson) September 19, 2017
Reading Boris Johnson’s Beta Minus essay for Brexit. He’s in a farce but thinks he’s in an epic. The faux Cicero pretend PM. #Catiline— Tom Watson (@tom_watson) September 16, 2017
9. Harriet Harman
Followers: 139,000
Labour MP Harriet Harman has drawn a lot of support on Twitter for her support of feminist issues, whilst also tweeting about constituency matters, and what she’s up to in parliament.
Tell me if you still think prostitution is empowering after hearing what the buying punters say | The Independent https://t.co/0iw0EFqFCZ— Harriet Harman (@HarrietHarman) September 20, 2017
Backed by @tom_watson 👍 https://t.co/DgkjvFyTDE— Harriet Harman (@HarrietHarman) September 19, 2017
Here’s why I’m voting NO tonight re govt EU bill. @Keir_Starmer @SouthwarkLabour @Southwark_News @SthLondonPress https://t.co/T8jUXCRVDQ pic.twitter.com/A8BJlnb5WP— Harriet Harman (@HarrietHarman) September 11, 2017
10. Tim Farron
Farron stood back as leader of the Liberal Democrats this summer because he felt he couldn’t square his religious views with his position at the head of a socially liberal party. However, he’s still popular on the liberal lefty Twitter, with a following of more than 270,000 people.
Some top quality ribbon cutting with @RadioYakkers as we opened the transformational new extension at @SelsideSchool pic.twitter.com/uN57a2S3kv— Tim Farron (@timfarron) September 9, 2017