Share this post:
Tory MP and trained GP Luke Evans is now the sixth-most followed UK politician on TikTok. Wow.
Sure, on the surface that seems like an achievement, but when you look closer, the numbers tell a different story.
With around 52,000 followers, Evans is dwarfed by figures like Nigel Farage (1.3 million), Zarah Sultana (nearly 480,000), or Jeremy Corbyn (223,000).
His most viral moment — reading a poem about the late Queen — reached two million views, but that’s an outlier. Much of his content – short explainers about Parliament or his life as an MP – draws only modest engagement.
This raises two issues: First, the bar for being a “top” MP on TikTok is remarkably low, because so few politicians use the platform. Second, popularity on TikTok doesn’t necessarily translate into effective political communication.
The risk is that MPs see follower counts as success, rather than asking what they are actually achieving.
TikTok has become one of the fastest-growing sources of news in Britain, with Ofcom reporting that 11 per cent of UK adults and nearly a third of 12–15 year olds use it for news.
For politicians, this is both an opportunity and a trap. Some MPs have carved out niches; others have avoided it altogether, citing security fears or generational discomfort.
But the bigger question is: what kind of politics can thrive on TikTok, and what kind of politics should?
What Drives Popularity on TikTok
1. Outrage and Provocation
Nigel Farage is the undisputed champion here. With more than a million followers, his content is less about coherent policy and more about being blunt, offensive, and impossible to ignore. This isn’t accidental. Outrage triggers the algorithm, ensuring high engagement regardless of whether viewers agree or despise him.
2. The Appearance of Authenticity
Highly polished political broadcasts feel out of place on TikTok. What works instead are handheld videos, unscripted monologues, and casual delivery. Politicians like Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn benefit from this style, appearing approachable and “real” to their audiences.
3. Entertainment Value
TikTok is built for quick hits. Clips that fit the platform’s rhythm — music, memes, trending sounds — travel far further than party-political broadcasts. Luke Evans’s viral video reading a poem about the late Queen after her death wasn’t popular for its politics, but because it resonated emotionally and was edited to suit the app.
4. Niche Communities
Not every politician goes viral, but some build loyal micro-audiences by focusing on specific themes. Evans, a GP by training, found his niche by explaining parliamentary basics and answering seemingly simple questions. This creates trust, even if it doesn’t guarantee mass appeal.
What Politicians Should Be Doing
This is the issue: TikTok rewards content that can easily undermine democracy, but it could also be used to strengthen it. Politicians don’t have to chase outrage or memes – they could make politics more transparent and accessible. But how?
1. Clear, Accessible Explainers
Instead of vague slogans, short videos could show how a bill becomes law, what an MP actually does day-to-day, or how government policies affect ordinary people’s lives.
2. Myth-Busting and Accountability
TikTok is rife with misinformation. Politicians could use it to fact-check viral claims or explain their own voting records. This would serve both the public and their own reputations.
3. Real Stories, Not Spin
Sharing local casework, highlighting constituent issues, or offering genuine reflections would make politics less abstract. Young audiences are more likely to respond to human stories than party lines.
4. Smart Use of Trends
There’s a fine line between engaging with TikTok culture and coming off as cringe. Politicians don’t need to dance to trending songs — but using popular formats to frame political issues can help them reach beyond their usual echo chambers.
5. Amplifying Neglected Voices
Instead of treating TikTok as a megaphone, politicians could treat it as a listening tool. Responding to concerns about housing, health, or insecure work — issues that flood TikTok — could build credibility where traditional politics fails.
The Catch
TikTok popularity doesn’t guarantee electoral success, but it does shape the political atmosphere.
Outrage spreads fastest, and that pushes politicians towards provocation rather than education.
But if MPs used TikTok to explain, to debunk, and to listen, the platform could close the widening gap between Westminster and a generation that feels increasingly unheard.
The bottom line
Luke Evans’s TikTok presence is better than nothing — but it also shows how low the bar is.
TikTok can either turbocharge populism or democratise politics.
Which way it goes depends less on algorithms, and more on what politicians choose to say once they press ‘record’.
Share this post:
TikTok politics: what makes politicians popular – and what they should be saying
Share this post:
Tory MP and trained GP Luke Evans is now the sixth-most followed UK politician on TikTok. Wow.
Sure, on the surface that seems like an achievement, but when you look closer, the numbers tell a different story.
With around 52,000 followers, Evans is dwarfed by figures like Nigel Farage (1.3 million), Zarah Sultana (nearly 480,000), or Jeremy Corbyn (223,000).
His most viral moment — reading a poem about the late Queen — reached two million views, but that’s an outlier. Much of his content – short explainers about Parliament or his life as an MP – draws only modest engagement.
This raises two issues: First, the bar for being a “top” MP on TikTok is remarkably low, because so few politicians use the platform. Second, popularity on TikTok doesn’t necessarily translate into effective political communication.
The risk is that MPs see follower counts as success, rather than asking what they are actually achieving.
TikTok has become one of the fastest-growing sources of news in Britain, with Ofcom reporting that 11 per cent of UK adults and nearly a third of 12–15 year olds use it for news.
For politicians, this is both an opportunity and a trap. Some MPs have carved out niches; others have avoided it altogether, citing security fears or generational discomfort.
But the bigger question is: what kind of politics can thrive on TikTok, and what kind of politics should?
What Drives Popularity on TikTok
1. Outrage and Provocation
Nigel Farage is the undisputed champion here. With more than a million followers, his content is less about coherent policy and more about being blunt, offensive, and impossible to ignore. This isn’t accidental. Outrage triggers the algorithm, ensuring high engagement regardless of whether viewers agree or despise him.
2. The Appearance of Authenticity
Highly polished political broadcasts feel out of place on TikTok. What works instead are handheld videos, unscripted monologues, and casual delivery. Politicians like Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn benefit from this style, appearing approachable and “real” to their audiences.
3. Entertainment Value
TikTok is built for quick hits. Clips that fit the platform’s rhythm — music, memes, trending sounds — travel far further than party-political broadcasts. Luke Evans’s viral video reading a poem about the late Queen after her death wasn’t popular for its politics, but because it resonated emotionally and was edited to suit the app.
4. Niche Communities
Not every politician goes viral, but some build loyal micro-audiences by focusing on specific themes. Evans, a GP by training, found his niche by explaining parliamentary basics and answering seemingly simple questions. This creates trust, even if it doesn’t guarantee mass appeal.
What Politicians Should Be Doing
This is the issue: TikTok rewards content that can easily undermine democracy, but it could also be used to strengthen it. Politicians don’t have to chase outrage or memes – they could make politics more transparent and accessible. But how?
1. Clear, Accessible Explainers
Instead of vague slogans, short videos could show how a bill becomes law, what an MP actually does day-to-day, or how government policies affect ordinary people’s lives.
2. Myth-Busting and Accountability
TikTok is rife with misinformation. Politicians could use it to fact-check viral claims or explain their own voting records. This would serve both the public and their own reputations.
3. Real Stories, Not Spin
Sharing local casework, highlighting constituent issues, or offering genuine reflections would make politics less abstract. Young audiences are more likely to respond to human stories than party lines.
4. Smart Use of Trends
There’s a fine line between engaging with TikTok culture and coming off as cringe. Politicians don’t need to dance to trending songs — but using popular formats to frame political issues can help them reach beyond their usual echo chambers.
5. Amplifying Neglected Voices
Instead of treating TikTok as a megaphone, politicians could treat it as a listening tool. Responding to concerns about housing, health, or insecure work — issues that flood TikTok — could build credibility where traditional politics fails.
The Catch
TikTok popularity doesn’t guarantee electoral success, but it does shape the political atmosphere.
Outrage spreads fastest, and that pushes politicians towards provocation rather than education.
But if MPs used TikTok to explain, to debunk, and to listen, the platform could close the widening gap between Westminster and a generation that feels increasingly unheard.
The bottom line
Luke Evans’s TikTok presence is better than nothing — but it also shows how low the bar is.
TikTok can either turbocharge populism or democratise politics.
Which way it goes depends less on algorithms, and more on what politicians choose to say once they press ‘record’.
Share this post:
you might also like
A good day’s work: Lying and libellous plots to attack Jeremy Corbyn seem set to fail
Bryant gets burnt over ‘gammon’ gag
The twisted logic of Jonathan Sacks