Digital Campaigning and the 2017 Election: The Rise of Facebook and Satellite Campaigns

In this chapter we analyse some examples of digital practices led by parties during the 2017 General Election campaign. We argue that whilst targeted advertising through Facebook has become the new normal for parties, it raises important questions regarding data-use and public expectations that require attention. We also suggest that digital media has enabled new non-party organisations to conduct what we call ‘satellite campaigns’. This development raises issues around party control, activist organisation and what we can expect from future digital campaigns. Cumulatively we therefore argue that developments in the digital realm have important implications for our understanding of electoral campaigning.