Why do politicians work so hard to convince voters that they're "just like us"?
From sharing personal stories to promoting relatable lifestyles, political leaders often try to present themselves as ordinary people. But does this make them more appealing - or less believable?
In the first episode of The Sound of Politics, Professor Stephen Coleman explores the different ways politicians seek public approval and asks why authenticity has become such a valuable political asset. What kinds of emotional and personal connections are politicians trying to create with voters, and how easy is it to balance relatability with leadership?
Joining Stephen is Ric Bailey, former editor of BBC Question Time and Chief Political Adviser to the BBC, who offers insight into how politicians craft their public image and communicate with audiences.
This episode explores political communication, authenticity, public trust, political leadership and the relationship between politicians and voters.
Guest: Ric Bailey
Presenter: Stephen Coleman
Producer: Carl Hartley
We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit www.thesoundofpolitics.com. And if you like this podcast then please follow to be the first to hear when a new episode is released.
The Sound of Politics is a podcast about political communication, political rhetoric, political leadership, democracy, public opinion and the language of politics. Hosted by Professor Stephen Coleman, each episode explores how politics is communicated and how citizens can better understand it.
