Thatcher funeral given two alternative front pages in Northern Echo

Daily’s dual splash reflects Thatcher divide

Margaret Thatcher’s controversial legacy has been commemorated in a unique double-front page edition of a regional daily.

Following the Iron Lady’s funeral yesterday, the Northern Echo made the decision to print two alternative splashes – one featuring the messages of tribute and the other focusing on the devastation she caused mining communities in the region.

A letter was sent out to newsagents explaining the concept, and leaving it up to them to decide which one to display.

Editor Peter Barron said the editorial team had decided it was the best way to reflect the huge divide in opinion in the North-East about the former Prime Minister’s record.

The Northern Echo's alternative front pages

Peter told HTFP: “All the way through we have seen a great polarisation of opinion – many people still feel very strongly about her impact on the region.

“We had to reflect that but I didn’t want it to feel disrespectful. We started talking about the two sides of the story and then my deputy, Chris Lloyd, suggested two front pages. It went from there.”

The ‘normal’ front page features an image of Thatcher’s coffin being carried through the streets, with tributes from MPs, while what is normally the back page is taken up by the alternative splash, featuring critical commentary from mining communities.

Each ‘front’ also features a ragout of the alternative and a cross-reference to it.

Peter said the headline – “We’ll always remember her” – was deliberately chosen as it works in both contexts.

He said most of the feedback had been “overwhelmingly positive.” “The reaction has been huge – it has been mad on Twitter,” he said.

“Most people have said they like it. There have been a few people who think we should have chosen one or the other. But I think it reflects our editorial stance, which from the beginning has been that it is wrong to celebrate someone’s death, even if you feel strongly that she did destroy your community.”

Among those who questioned the idea were former Bradford Telegraph & Argus editor Mike Glover, who Tweeted: “Brilliant innovation or ultimate cop-out? Discuss.”

Peter said he hopes the unusual edition will boost sales, as the North-East has not seen the same boost to newspaper circulation that has been reported in the rest of the country.

“We didn’t see that jump in sales, maybe because people feel differently up here,” he said.

“By giving newsagents the choice of which one to display, we are hoping to give a balanced view and perhaps more people might pick up a copy.

“I think what we will see is newsagents in ‘pit’ communities will display the paper back-side up, while more sympathetic areas will get the coffin image on the front.

“It’s the first time I have done something like this, and I have certainly never seen it done anywhere else either.”

And the choice was welcomed by newspaper vendors in the area.

Barry Clish, owner of Clish’s Newsagents, in Easington Lane, near Easington, chose the miner’s front page to display, saying many of his customers had refused to buy their usual paper if it had a picture of Mrs Thatcher’s coffin on the front.

“It’s a amazing how much hatred there still is for her in this area,” he added.

Maureen Heron, manager of Finlays newsagents in Yoden Way, Peterlee, also displayed the paper with the miners’ banner as the front page when she realised there was a choice.

“Everybody pokes her in the eye when they bring the paper to the counter – they dislike her that much,” she said.

However, in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, which is traditionally a Tory stronghold, Martin Rench, from Towlers newsagents, was happy to display the front page featuring the former Prime Minister’s coffin.

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Hard-pressed hack

April 18, 2013 at 12:18 pm