Thread by @Leelum

As a researcher in social media & pol. representation, I've been thinking of the role social media has had in the creation of the #Independantgroup. My initial thoughts are it's hard to see... (thread)

#LabourSplit / #TorySplit

Obviously it's clear that social media has had a pivotal role in the groups media management. Using it for getting their name out there and trending.

Meanwhile journalists and commenter's have kept the groups name fresh by multiple comments.

They have also kept the media management really cleverly ordered. Any announcement by Corbyn or May has quickly been followed by yet another Independent Group media reveal.

Nothing from May or Corbyn has really stuck other than quick quotes of them saying "I'm sorry, this is sad".

It's safe to say the group have really ostracised this whole thing for a hybrid media landscape, and done it well.... so far.

The lack of a clear leader for the group has done them wonders too. Rather than having one person to focus on and attack, the media are forced to look at them as a united front.

They're probably pretty happy about that.

Going forward, we now have MPs who are very much in the wilderness.

They do not have a party machine to fall back on, nor local volunteers to promote them on the ground.

And despite my joke that going of DUP valuations they are worth £1bn, they have minimal finances.

This is where I think social media will be crucial for them, at-least for the short term. Twitter is where these MPs are going to manage their relationships with journalists and the news, while Facebook might do more for the community links they have with constituents.

Would this whole thing be doable without social media? Yes. But the group will feel a lot more stable knowing they have a way to get their message out there without relying on the media and the local party machine.

This media storm they have built won't last forever. And if we have seen anything from how small parties are represented (see Lib Dems) they risk being relegated from the headlines when the political system stabilises.

If we see this new group utilise social media to the level of UKIP, I very much doubt they'll be brushed under the carpet any time soon.

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