Most British MPs used to avoid tweeting about the EU, leaving Eurosceptics to fill the gap

There was a time when the topic of the EU had little salience in British politics. Resul Umit presents an analysis of tweets by MPs in Ireland, Westminster and the devolved governments in 2014-15, highlighting that few tweeted much about EU affairs, especially if they were in unsafe seats. He argues that this allowed Eurosceptic politicians to fill the gap and effectively ‘own’ the subject prior to the referendum.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Remain camp is losing the hashtag battle in the twittersphere http://www.europeansources.info/record/remain-camp-is-losing-the-hashtag-battle-in-the-twittersphere/

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

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