This paper draws on extensive media content analyses of the last five UK General Elections based on studies which incorporates material from bulletins broadcast by the most popular terrestrial and cable networks as well as all of the leading national daily and weekly newspapers. The piece will explore and assess the possible continuities and changes in the representation of recent leaders including John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron by focusing on when/if and how reporting of them has substantially developed during the period 1992-2010. Comparisons will also be made between the more obviously charismatic figures (Blair/Cameron), the other two Prime Ministers and the other defeated leaders. Furthermore consideration will be given to how reporting of the leaders has increased at the expense of their own senior party colleagues.
