National newspapers have widely backed Conservatives in their leading articles, with the total of 217 pro-Tory leading articles more than doubling pro-Labour’s 87.
Research by The Media Standards Trust found that national papers have been publishing significant leaders supporting the Tories, with Daily Telegraph leading with 55 pro-Tory articles. Following closely were the Daily Mail with 49, the Daily Express 36, the Sun 35 and The Times 34.
Alongside the leaders praising the Tory party, were a large number of leading articles purposely criticising Labour. According to this research, the Sun was the most critical of the Labour party, with 102 anti-labour leaders, with the Daily Mail publishing 75, and the Telegraph 67.
However, some national papers have appeared to fully back Ed Miliband and the Labour party, as the Daily Mirror released 55 pro-Labour leads. The Guardian also published 19 pro-Labour articles.
The Daily Mirror upped it’s support for the Labour party, by publishing a staggering 109 leaders deemed to shun the Tories. The Guardian also maintained its left-wing position, with 44.
The Daily Express had the most leaders favouring UKIP, releasing 11. The Daily Express’ owner, Richard Desmond has donated £1.3 million to Nigel Farage’s party.
Across the board, the UK’s national papers have shown a clear lack of support for the Scottish National Party (SNP). The Sun, in particular, shunned the SNP in 21 anti-SNP leaders, despite backing it in the paper’s Scottish edition.
This research found that only one pro-SNP leaders was published by the Financial Times.
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