Kerry McCarthy named Labour’s new media campaign spokesperson

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

Kerry McCarthy has this weekend been appointed as Labour’s official new media campaign spokesperson. The role will involved co-ordinating Labour’s online presence and helping Labour MPs, PPCs and supporters share best practice online.

Kerry has long been a prolific Twitterer and blogger, and last month was named Twitter’s most influential MP in a study by the Independent newspaper.

In an exclusive interview with Mark Hanson for LabourList, to appear here tomorrow, Kerry said:

“Rather than being something completely new, campaigning using new media is simply doing what we’ve always done in a new setting – and rather than replacing traditional ways of doing things, it’s about making traditional campaigning methods even more effective.”

Last week, the Evening Standard’s Paul Waugh said that Labour are getting smarter with their use of the internet as a campaign tool, and Kerry’s knowledge and experience of communicating online will be crucial in the run up to the next general election.

Congratulations and good luck, Kerry!