Behind the Scenes and Beyond: Beth Rigby Unveils the Highs and Lows of Election Coverage and Balancing Personal Sacrifices

Beth Rigby: 'My schedule is hectic. Having a stay-at-home partner is essential for managing it.'

Sky News' political editor discusses the unseen aspects of election night coverage and talks about the challenges of campaign reporting, including the difficulties of keeping commitments to family and finding time to unwind.

Political correspondent @BethRigby

Thursday, July 18, 2024, 07:

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What's the secret to staying awake for a continuous 33-hour stint while broadcasting a general election live on television?

Sky's political editor Beth Rigby mentioned that she started her day at 7 a.m. on Thursday, July 4th, and managed to keep going until 2:30 p.m. the following day, sustained by Diet Coke, sushi, and her favorite red lipstick.

She shares her experiences from behind the scenes throughout the six-week election campaign.

When I found out that an election was scheduled, my immediate thought was, "I'll have to break the news to my daughter that our camping trip next week is off." It was tough for me because I hate disappointing my children.

As the realization dawns that the campaign is about to start, there's a significant mental shift to accepting that for the next six weeks, your personal life is essentially on hold. This affects the commitments you've made to loved ones, as you enter a phase where it's difficult to disengage from work. In the world of politics, breaks are few and far between, and during election periods, the pace intensifies with constant demands.

Covering the campaign is the pinnacle event for political reporters, akin to competing in the Olympics – the goal is to come out on top. It's the time we've all been preparing for, presenting an opportunity to really challenge oneself and strive for excellence. There's immense satisfaction in finishing a day on a victorious note.

An election captures the attention of the entire country, placing you at the heart of a nationwide dialogue. This brings a significant sense of duty, and it compels you to deliver your utmost performance in your role.

I abstained from drinking alcohol during that period and aimed to be in bed for at least six hours each night, even if I couldn't fall asleep. I maintained a routine of going for runs and eating healthily. The one event I was committed to attending was my father's 80th birthday, which fell in the midst of everything. I didn’t buy him a cake or a gift—my brother handled that—but it meant a lot to him that I was there.

When covering politics on the campaign trail, encounters with both the prime minister and the opposition leader are frequent. They're actively campaigning, aiming to win the electorate's favor, and during these times, journalists become crucial to their efforts as we help broadcast their messages. However, the pace is unyielding, requiring substantial endurance and hard work. Success in this field often comes to those who go the extra mile.

Female broadcasters undoubtedly face more critical observation regarding their looks. Television journalism demands a more theatrical presence compared to my previous role in print, given the visual exposure of being on camera. Therefore, I dress in vividly colored suits, adorn myself with gold jewelry, apply makeup, and wear red lipstick – it's essentially a uniform for the role.

Upon beginning my tenure at Sky News, I received a phone call suggesting that there might be a discussion about letting my bangs grow out. I responded firmly by stating that my hairstyle choices, particularly my bangs, were off-limits for discussion and insisted that the topic should never be brought up again.

During these significant moments in the political cycle, it's crucial for me to deliver my messages with conviction and seriousness. Observers are constantly watching to see if I show favoritism to any party. However, it's important not to take this personally. It's simply a natural aspect of the profession, particularly for women.

Hosting the Sky News Leaders Special programme was a significant undertaking. It was my first experience at that scale, during a general election and with a live audience watching. Success was imperative.

Putting the show together was a huge collaborative task, yet I was at the helm for both the network and my team members. There were numerous debates regarding my approach, but ultimately, I realized that despite the various suggestions, I needed to tackle it in a manner that seemed instinctive to me.

Three weeks before the event, my anxiety levels were through the roof, slightly less so with two weeks remaining, and still noticeably high just a week prior. I tackled it by buckling down and focusing on preparation, which gradually eased my nerves. On the event day, about 90 minutes before it started, I mingled with the attendees who were buzzing with excitement about hosting this national event in their hometown of Grimsby. That's when it hit me: "I need to deliver an outstanding performance for these folks." Realizing that the audience was rooting for the event's success was incredibly calming and gave me a significant boost.

On the day of the elections, I woke up at the usual hour, around 7 in the morning, to prepare my children for school, which they leave for at 8:15 am. Afterward, I joined Jonathan Levy, the managing director at Sky News, for breakfast. We discussed how to present the exit poll results, outlined the evening's coverage plan, and he offered some encouragement.

Yesterday afternoon, I headed out for a jog, followed by a stop at a hotel to relax and clear my head. I usually avoid eating too much before such activities because being too full can make you drowsy, especially before a broadcast. While on air, we keep some refreshments tucked away, including tea and Diet Coke. I snacked on some sushi and enjoyed quite a few Haribo gummies.

I tend to be somewhat superstitious. During the election night of 2019, I donned a piece of jewelry that once belonged to my deceased mother. This year, I opted to wear the same fortunate red lipstick that I first used during my debut TV appearance in 2016. Named Icon by Hourglass, it remains my favorite red hue.

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I was up continuously from 7 a.m. on the day of the election until 2:30 p.m. the following day, totaling 33 sleepless hours. This included 10 hours of anchoring a live broadcast, followed by another three hours reporting live from Downing Street on the transition of leadership. Achieving the correct tone was critical, especially with no rest, but thankfully, adrenaline helped maintain mental clarity. Later, I managed to squeeze in a short two-and-a-half-hour nap before I had to wake up to record our Electoral Dysfunction podcast and prepare the day's summary for the 10 p.m. news broadcast. My long day ended right where it started, delivering a live update from outside Number 10 for our main News at 10 program.

My routine is quite hectic. Whenever someone inquires about how I manage, I respond, "I have a partner who stays at home and possesses boundless patience, and that's my secret."

As I rose to prepare for the 5pm podcast, I was utterly exhausted. However, I pressed on because that's the nature of the work, and I consider my profession an immense privilege, even when it's incredibly demanding.

Winding down following a highly stressful stretch can be challenging. The rush of adrenaline can be habit-forming.

Over the course of those six weeks, you find yourself conversing more with your coworkers than with your own family. After reporting on the transition of leadership, you come home only to be questioned by your spouse about the location of your daughter's socks. It's quite challenging. However, gradually, you start to settle back into the rhythm of home life. For me, there’s nothing better than simply spending time at home. Following an election, this feels like a true blessing.

It's unclear how long the initial favorable reception toward Labour will last among the populace. It seems likely that, similar to George Osborne's approach in 2010, they will attribute any challenges their administration faces to the Conservatives. However, they are certainly facing significant pressure.

The size of their majority was largely due to the numerous constituencies they held onto as a result of Conservative voters either abstaining or switching their votes to Reform UK. This scenario could very well reverse in the upcoming election. Now, it all comes down to performance.

"Election: Behind The Scenes At Sky News" will air on Sky Documentaries on Thursday, July 18th at 9 PM, followed by a showing on Sky Showcase at 10:30 PM, and again on Sky News on Friday, July 19th at 9 PM.

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