Batten Hell

A failure by the media to bully and use constant misdirection and lies to defeat a truthful politician.

See BBC for examples

The BBC reporter tried but didn't have a batten hell's chance of defeating the UKIP leader

batten the hatches

a) (original meaning) : among fishermen in North America: on a vessel, especially vessels dedicated to winter time lobster and crab fishing, to close all entrances to the lower decks and crew cabins when you are in a storm

b) (my new and improved meaning): in Atlantic Canada and New England, a term meaning, in cities such as New York, Boston, Montreal, Halifax, to insulate the doors and windows of one's house for the winter months.

if you want to properly hibernate, be prepared to batten the hatches definition b), even if it costs a small fortune.