The digital world: A new general election battleground

This election promises to be different. It has a new battleground: The digital world.

Politicians know they have to knock on digital doors as well as real ones in order to reach voters, make their pitch, raise money, get volunteers, and win votes.

Likes, followers, retweets, and favourites make up a new currency of digital support which sits alongside party membership and audience applause as indications of party political support and affiliation. Social media platforms like Twitter are now essential to the art of winning political power.