New Research Reveals How MPs Really Consume Media in 2026

Social media has overtaken every other channel as MPs' primary news source

MessageSpace has today published Influence & Information 2026, the second annual edition of its proprietary research into how Members of Parliament consume media, news and advertising.

The findings reveal a fundamental restructuring of the parliamentary information diet. There is no single platform, no single publication, no single format that reaches Parliament as a whole. Reaching Westminster in 2026 requires a layered, platform-literate strategy.

Key findings

Social media is the number one news source. 94% of MPs use social media daily, but platform choice splits sharply along party lines.

Digital news dominates. 88% of MPs read digital news daily. 70% subscribe to a newsletter.

Podcasts are mainstream. 46% of MPs cite podcasts as a news source. Among the 2024 intake, 79% listen weekly.

Advertising works. 52% of MPs recall seeing issue advertising on social media. Among new Labour MPs, ad engagement rises to 43%.

The case for advertising to MPs

77% of MPs recall seeing advertising about a political or societal issue in the last six months. 38% have clicked, liked, shared or commented on a digital ad. Among the 2024 Labour intake, engagement rises to 43%.

Our independent research shows a 14% uplift in awareness, consideration and intent to act after exposure to our campaigns — 50% above the advertising industry average.

The most effective campaigns don't pick one channel. They layer social, digital news, out-of-home and podcast advertising to create compounding exposure across the environments where MPs actually spend their time.

What this means for communicators

The question is no longer whether to advertise to MPs — it's how to do it most effectively. MPs notice advertising and engage with it. Repeated exposure to messaging via their favourite media channels has a direct impact on their recall, engagement, and ultimately their action on real-world policy change.

To request the full report, visit our Influence & Information 2026 page or get in touch at hello@messagespace.co.uk.