The Bunker
Why are MPs so obsessed with WhatsApp?
Feb 27, 2025
Marie Le Conte, a regular contributor to Oh God What Now and author of 'Escape,' joins Jacob Jarvis to unpack the growing obsession of MPs with WhatsApp. They explore how the messaging app has revolutionized political communication, fostering connections while also breeding chaos and gossip. The conversation touches on the paranoia experienced by MPs, the issues of confidentiality, and communication challenges due to generational divides in tech skills. They discuss the implications of this shift for public service and the sustainability of parliamentary duties.
35:33
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- WhatsApp has transformed communication in Westminster, making interactions more informal while complicating professional boundaries among MPs.
- The platform exacerbates stress for MPs by blurring work-life separation and fostering a culture of paranoia through rapid information exchange.
Deep dives
The Rise of WhatsApp in Politics
WhatsApp has become an integral communication tool in Westminster, significantly changing how MPs interact. Its adoption began gaining momentum around 2016 and surged during the 2017 election, with many newly elected MPs recognizing its necessity for staying connected. The informal nature of WhatsApp fostered its rapid acceptance, allowing MPs to interact more freely and contributing to the development of numerous group chats. This shift reflects a broader trend where social media platforms, in their various forms, have transformed political communication from formal to more casual interactions.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
