Former No10 digital advisor discusses social media strategy for politicians
A former Number 10 digital advisor gave an interview on GB News discussing social media strategy for politicians, offering insights into how political figures can effectively use social media platforms.
How it was covered
- GB News was the only channel found covering it.
- Channel 5, BBC News, BBC One, BBC Two, Channel 4, ITV and Sky News: not found in tracked broadcasts.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story. Facts only one channel reported are attributed to it.
A former deputy head of digital at Number 10 has given an interview on social media strategy for politicians, offering practical advice on how to connect with voters online. Brandon Hatiloni, who previously worked out what content the government should make and how to distribute it, said Facebook remains the most effective platform for reaching ordinary people, while X (formerly Twitter) is a 'battlefield' dominated by Westminster insiders and the media.
Hatiloni, making his debut on the programme, told the host that politicians need to speak directly to voters without a media filter. He praised Reform UK and the Greens for understanding this approach, and noted that Labour leader Keir Starmer initially struggled with social media because he 'didn't understand the platform' and 'didn't value the platform'. However, he acknowledged that since entering office, Starmer has improved, gaining over 300,000 followers on TikTok with a relentless posting schedule.
The former advisor stressed the importance of authenticity and short, engaging content. He recommended videos of no more than 30 seconds, and suggested asking the audience questions to boost interaction. 'You have to be communicating value,' he said. 'It's not enough to go out there and just tell them what you want to tell them.' He also advised new MPs to delete their old social media posts immediately, warning that deleted content can still be found online.
On the issue of online nastiness, Hatiloni said the worst behaviour occurs on X, while Facebook tends to be more civil. He expressed support for freedom of speech but hoped for a better environment with less hostility. The interview covered the changing media landscape, where politicians now have the ability to reach millions directly through platforms like Facebook and TikTok, bypassing traditional newspapers and broadcasters.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, grouped by how many channels reported each one. Select a dot to see the source excerpt.
| Claim |  |
|---|---|
| Only on one channel | |
| Brandon Hatiloni was the deputy deputy head of digital at Number 10. | |
| Hatiloni advises new MPs to delete their old social media posts immediately. | |
| Keir Starmer gained over 300,000 followers on TikTok since entering office. | |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The interview focused on practical social media advice for politicians, with a strong emphasis on Facebook as the platform for reaching 'real people' and criticism of X as a 'cesspit'. The tone was conversational and supportive, with the host sharing his own experience of using Facebook to build a large following. The segment highlighted the importance of authenticity, short videos, and direct engagement with voters, while also touching on the challenges of online nastiness.
- “facebook is where real people from the real world i think can actually watch a lot of them to be honest but never comment or like or they just they're just scrolling through and looking at the comments”
- “x is really about talking to each other it's a it's a westminster battle it's it's where you're talking to the media but facebook is direct to the people”
- “make your videos short make them 30 seconds max because i see some people doing a three-minute video and i say to them people aren't going to watch three minutes”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.