LSBU academic explores political storytelling in elected Green MP’s speech
In a new article for The Conversation, an academic from London South Bank University (LSBU) examines what Green MP Hannah Spencer’s by‑election victory speech reveals about political narrative‑building in the UK today.
Dr Alex Prior, Lecturer in Politics with International Relations in LSBU's School of Arts and Social Sciences, argues that Spencer’s speech offers a clear insight into how politicians use personal storytelling to present themselves to voters and shape public perceptions.
Rather than dwelling on policy, her speech constructs a narrative about identity, work and community, a narrative Dr Prior identifies as an increasingly common feature of contemporary political communication.
He highlights how Spencer frames herself primarily through her trade and lived experience rather than her new role as an MP. This, he suggests, is a deliberate narrative device designed to signal authenticity and align her with the everyday experiences of the people she represents.
Dr Prior also notes how Spencer’s speech strategically addresses multiple audiences: local residents, specific community groups, people in trades similar to her own and even her former customers. By doing so, he argues, she positions herself as representative of a broad constituency while reinforcing who is included within her political “we”.
Reflecting on the wider significance of her approach, Dr Prior writes: “My research focuses on political narratives and storytelling as a means of communication: the stories that parliaments contain and project, the stories we tell about the places we're in and the stories that politicians use to communicate themselves to voters.”
He concludes that Spencer’s speech is a deliberate attempt to craft a compelling political story, one that speaks to local pride, shared struggle and a desire for recognition. In doing so, it illustrates how personal narratives have become a powerful form of political messaging, especially for those seeking to challenge traditional pathways into Westminster.