Regional titles from Trinity Mirror based in the North this week published manifestos, which look to lay out “what local readers really want” from the General Election.
The ‘My Manifesto’ project is based on the views of 18,000 readers and aims to look beyond the national political agenda and “inform regional voters like no other media outlet can”.
A list of key election demands has been drawn up for 24 Trinity Mirror titles, including the Liverpool Echo, Manchester Evening News and Newcastle Chronicle.
From these manifestos, the titles hope to question and lobby local politicians.
Neil Benson, editorial director of Trinity Mirror Regionals, said:
“The way our audiences consume news has changed dramatically since 2010. This year we can talk to our readers – via print, social and digital – and crucially listen to them like never before.
“Interestingly, local issues tended to place quite highly on most manifestos, making the role regional media plays in this election even more vital.
“We aim to be the conduit for readers and local politics, channelling their views.
“The MyManifesto project is our first to embody this aim, and we’re proud of the fantastic collaboration across the business.”
Projects to come include digital hustings, interactive maps and Google hangout interviews with candidates.