Welcome to the News Review on the PRmoment podcast. In this weekly show I’m joined by the dream team which is Angie Moxham and Mark Borkowski.

In the PR News Review we look at the biggest news stories of the week from a PR perspective and this week there’s really only 1 story in town, Peter Mandelson and whether he’s going to bring down Sir Keir Starmer's government.

Before we start, check out our latest PR Masterclass: The Intersection of PR & GEO, all the info you’ll need is accessible from the homepage of PRmoment.

Summary of this week’s PR News Review:

Ben Smith introduced the PR News Review, focusing on the negative implications of Peter Mandelson's association with Epstein on Keir Starmer's government, with Angie Moxham expressing dismay and Mark Borkowski labeling Mandelson as "toxic.” 

Angie Moxham viewed the situation as a "slow motion car crash" for Keir Starmer, and both agreed that public disillusionment stems from broken promises and political bickering.

• Focus on Peter Mandelson and Keir Starmer Angie Moxham, a long-term Labour supporter, expressed dismay over the news, stating that Mandelson's involvement with Epstein after the latter's conviction was "sick" and "not good news" for Labour. Mark Borkowski emphasized that Mandelson is "toxic" and that it is unsurprising Mandelson lied to Starmer, deeming it "practical muscle memory" for him.

• Analysis of Leadership and Political Baggage Mark Borkowski questioned the current expectations of political leaders and stressed the importance of scrutiny and training for those taking on leadership roles, especially concerning the baggage they carry in a "totally transparent" world. Angie Moxham viewed the situation as a "slow motion car crash" for Keir Starmer, suggesting that although this specific event might not end their tenure, another mistake could lead to their removal. Angie Moxham advocated for a meritocracy in government to ensure "best minds and brains" are in key positions, separate from party politics.

• State of UK Politics and Public Disillusionment Mark Borkowski asserted that the government needs to regain the electorate's belief in Westminster, attributing current issues to "too many broken promises" and a lack of effective communication from Keir Starmer. Mark Borkowski suggested that Labour needs to stop trying to appease the Daily Mail and focus on improving people's lives to counteract the "appalling look" of various scandals, such as the Mandelson issue and matters involving Angela Rayner. Angie Moxham agreed, noting that the public is "fed up" with bickering and negativity, seeking "positivity and hope" instead.

• Media's Role and Alternative Communication Strategies Angie Moxham criticized the media for contributing to public disillusionment by focusing too heavily on negative headlines and political infighting, calling it a "race to the bottom" if they don't highlight more positive news. Mark Borkowski countered that in the current media landscape, political parties need to generate a "greater sort of noise" across various channels, noting that winning elections is no longer possible solely through traditional means like the Sun. Both Mark Borkowski and Angie Moxham suggested looking at new communication strategies, with Angie Moxham highlighting the potential of celebrity endorsement, drawing parallels to Tony Blair's time, and Mark Borkowski suggesting adopting elements of Donald Trump's messaging management—like moving quickly from negativity and creating momentum—to engage their base.