Marie Le Conte, graduate of the Journalism BA Honours course, discussed her book ‘Haven’t You Heard? Gossip, Power and how Politics Really Works’, and her life as a political journalist.
The event took place on 29 January at Fyvie Hall at the Regent Street Campus. Le Conte was in conversation with Laura Hughes, Political Correspondent at the Financial Times, who herself was named Young Journalist of the Year at the 2018 National Press Awards. The two discussed being a journalist in Westminster, the relationship between politicians and journalists and how gossip can be turned into a story.
In her book ‘Haven’t You Heard?’, Le Conte looks at the role of gossip in all areas of politics. She explores in great detail the human side of people running the country against a backdrop of political mayhem.
After graduating in 2013, Le Conte worked at the Evening Standard as their political diarist and as Buzzfeed News’ media and politics correspondent before going freelance two years ago. She has previously written for The Sunday Times, The Guardian, New Statesman, Prospect Magazine, Stylist and has appeared on – among others – BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Newsnight, Victoria Derbyshire and Any Questions? She has also spoken at Chatham House, Sciences Po Paris, the House of Commons and the Foreign Policy Centre.
Le Conte has frequently visited the University to talk to students about media careers, Twitter and working as a political journalist, and featured as the cover story for the University’s Network magazine in 2018.
The talk was followed by networking, food and drinks with the option to buy a signed copy of her book.
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