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Members' Papers: What MPs Read
The Guardian is the most popular read for Britain's MPs according to a new survey by BPRI. The average number of papers read is nearer to two than one (c.1.7) and a range of titles are included, indicating broad reading, but it seems true that most prefer to read something which reflects their own views.
Some MPs also like to know what is going on locally and the most popular regional press includes The Yorkshire Evening Post, Portsmouth News, Newcastle Journal and The Scotsman.
With a New Labour majority in the House, BPRI says it was predictable that The Guardian would come out on top. Jonathan Shingleton, BPRI's Chairman, says that MPs appear to be creatures of habit. 'They have been reading the same paper for a number of years as you can tell from their comments'. One MP said of his readership of The Times that he had 'been programmed as a boy to read it and have not changed', while another told BPRI: 'The Telegraph is solid and reliable but The Times has gone trendy and superficial'. Interestingly, very few of the MPs admitted to reading the 'red tops', although some may pick up a tabloid to broaden their mind:
'I read the Daily Telegraph for the serious news, the Daily Mail for what the fairly informed public is reading and the Evening Standard to catch up on news later in the day'.
| Newspaper
Readership |
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| The
Guardian |
51% |
| The Times |
37% |
| The Daily Telegraph |
33% |
| The FT |
21% |
| The Daily Mail |
16% |
| The Independent |
11% |
BPRI interviewed 100MPs during May and June 2004, a representative sample of the composition of the House and part of the BPRI Political Opinion Panel.
The company's web site is at www.bprigroup.com
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