Top Ten Political Blogs
Andrew at Bloggers4Labour has kind of challenged his readers to come up with a list of Top Ten Political Blogs.
Inspired by Iain Dale's list, Andrew does say that it all depends on your taste in blogging, as some tend to have a preference for the salacious and bitchy gossip over detail and maturity (no bitchiness intend for the bitchy bloggers).
Unfortunatley in the time I do read fellow bloggers, not all are political and the ones I are tend to be Labour. This is not out of narrow mindedness (If I was that petty, I wonder if I would make a point of reading as many Conservative and Lib Dem blogs as possible) but rather because the Labour bloggers concerned have come to my attention because a) I have known them already or b) They were recommended by friends or c) I came across their blog via the "Bloggers4Labour" list.
So what I will do is to give you a list of my Top Ten Labour blogs, and then mention the Tory and Lib Dem blogs that I read, and if you think there are others that are worth my attention, then let me know and I will read them!
Top Ten Labour Bloggers
(This was tough to compile, but here it is)
Kerron Cross - The Voice of the Delectable Left
Kerron is a friend of several years standing. I first met him when I was briefly involved with Young Labour and someone I met at the 2003 Labour Party Conference gave him my details when he wanted to get involved in some way, as we both hail from Hertfordshire. We met up for lunch at the House of Commons, and kept in touch ever since. We are also both involved in the Christian Socialist Movement and it was Kerron who introduced me to the "Bloggers4Labour" Group.
Jo's Journal
I first came across Jo via "Bloggers4Labour", and I think I first noticed her when she attacked Ann Winterton over some comments she had made (something not too difficult). I then started reading her blog with interest because, whether I agree with her or not, she always puts her case with a degree of force without going OTT and making you feel resentful if you do disagree with her (Well I find that's how it is with me anyway). I did have the pleasure of bumping into her in Victoria Street in January this year, and Andrew tells me that it was this encounter that inspired him to arrange a "Bloggers4Labour" anniversary meet up, which in time inspired me to arrange a bloggers social just over a week ago.
Plus she lives in Oxford with her partner Antonia, which is one of my favourite parts of the country, given the fact I spent five happy years living in nearby Enstone, plus my love for things history, Inspector Morse, and C.S. Lewis.
The Wonderful World of Lola
Recently came across Lola via Jo. Her blog is a bit girly, but has a fey charm all of it's own and makes compulsive reading.
WongaBlog
I first met Andrew at "WongaBlog" at the "Bloggers4Labour" anniversary (Is it me or are most Labour bloggers called Andrew?) Bit of a quiet chappie when you meet him, but earnest and steadfast in his convictions, and very gracious. He has a love of Sci Fi, but I think he is a bit tired of the David Tennant jokes, given his resemblance to the actor.
Bloggers4Labour
Has been running for nearly eighteen months now, and works as a network of Labour bloggers. Andrew Regan who runs it, is the only person I have met via the blogosphere on more than two occasions. Quiet and unassuming, he is definite in his ideology (we are of the same age, but whereas I have always tended to be at the Healey/Crosland/Jenkins right of the Party, Andrew has shifted from the left to the right in the past decade) and has a degree of knowledge of films as well as politics.
Antonia's blog
Came across her blog, via her partner, Jo. A Parliamentary Candidate at the last election (as was Kerron) and now a councillor, I find that, like my views regarding Jo, I disagree with her on issues like All Women Shortlists and abortion. That said, she gets a lot of unkind and unfair, and rather vicious flak from people from F4J and she holds herself well, and far better than perhaps you or I. Like Jo and the two Andrews, I find her opinions, whether right or wrong, are worth reading and taking on board.
BrightonRegencyLabourSupporter
I noticed him in the B4L newsletters, basically because he takes a strong view against Christianity and other religions. He must have noticed my blog as well, because when I met him at the B4L anniversary, he made a beeline for me and proceeded to interrogate me on my faith and where I stood in consequence on various issues, and in the meantime Kerron (the only other Christian there) proceeded to remain quiet and let me take the full flak (thanks mate!)
That said, in our own curious way, Neil Harding (for that is his real name) and I got on well, and he introduced me to the delights of the alcohol drink known as DarkStar. Hard, uncompromising, and takes no prisoners in his attacks on Conservative Party policy and ideology, he makes you cheer when he publicly emphasises what you were thinking with regard to various aspects of Conservative Party policy, but were wondering how to articulate your message in the same hard hitting manner
Skuds' Sister's Brother
These things work like chains. I forget how I came across Andrew Skudder's blog, but I know it was via a link from one of the above bloggers. Met him at the B4L anniversary. A keen and tenatious local campaigner, his blog is always worth a look if you want to know the serious, but entertaining side of Crawley local politics.
PooterGeek
One of the organisers of the Euston Manifesto. Damien Counsell has a witty and entertaining blog, and when he is not mentioning his passion for Nigella Lawson, he defends the EM and waxes lyrical about his photography. Met him a couple of times, great guy, very friendly and approachable.
Jt Tenth
NormBlog and Rullsenberg Rules
The latter is the blog of Lisa, who lives in Nottingham . Keen on Buffy and Doctor Who (namely David Tennant), Lisa is the partner of Neil a.k.a. Cloud.
"NormBlog" is the work of Norman Geras. Probably the most mature blogger, in terms of argument and intellect, in the blogosphere. His blog is a must read for all political minded people on the Net.
Conservative Bloggers of Note
Tim Roll-Pickering
Possibly the most considerate and gracious Conservative Party activist I have met (But don't let that fool you, he is also sharp and knowledgeable in his arguments), he is also great fun to wind up. That said, he is also one of the very few Conservatives who, if I was at the same count on an election night where the Conservatives lost, and badly, I would buy him a drink as a form of commiseration (believe it or not, for those who aren't political reading this, Labour and Conservatives can see each other as human beings). I came across his blog via Jo.
Iain Dale
Have started reading his blog and am considering putting a link onto mine. Thing is though, I did meet him once at the 2003 Party Conference and found him standoffish and got the impression he was someone who is only interested in people if they are important. That said, the evidence does seem to sometimes point the other way and I probably caught him on a bad day! His blog is entertaining and full of interesting nuggets of information, but be warned, I am told he can be selective when he deals in arguments and he can be acerbic.
Liberal Democrat
Thoughts
The blog of Louisa Wiloughby, who I came across via Kerron (as they go to the same Church in Watford). An undergraduate at Selwyn College, Cambridge. Louisa is currently studying History and German. Passionate in her views, and rather analytical, she nontheless has a gentle side to her demeanour which can make you rather protective of her. But be warned, she is uncompromising in her views and whilst she listens to her opposition, can be strident and resourceful, and therefore a bit of a tough cookie. I met her once, and over coffee she berated me and other Labour activists for not toppling Tony. Labour activists will be pleased to know I gave as good as I got and mentioned the Lib Dems bullying of Charles Kennedy. That said, she is fun to be with, as indeed are most of the other bloggers here (The only two listed I have not met are Lola and Antonia)
Inspired by Iain Dale's list, Andrew does say that it all depends on your taste in blogging, as some tend to have a preference for the salacious and bitchy gossip over detail and maturity (no bitchiness intend for the bitchy bloggers).
Unfortunatley in the time I do read fellow bloggers, not all are political and the ones I are tend to be Labour. This is not out of narrow mindedness (If I was that petty, I wonder if I would make a point of reading as many Conservative and Lib Dem blogs as possible) but rather because the Labour bloggers concerned have come to my attention because a) I have known them already or b) They were recommended by friends or c) I came across their blog via the "Bloggers4Labour" list.
So what I will do is to give you a list of my Top Ten Labour blogs, and then mention the Tory and Lib Dem blogs that I read, and if you think there are others that are worth my attention, then let me know and I will read them!
Top Ten Labour Bloggers
(This was tough to compile, but here it is)
Kerron Cross - The Voice of the Delectable Left
Kerron is a friend of several years standing. I first met him when I was briefly involved with Young Labour and someone I met at the 2003 Labour Party Conference gave him my details when he wanted to get involved in some way, as we both hail from Hertfordshire. We met up for lunch at the House of Commons, and kept in touch ever since. We are also both involved in the Christian Socialist Movement and it was Kerron who introduced me to the "Bloggers4Labour" Group.
Jo's Journal
I first came across Jo via "Bloggers4Labour", and I think I first noticed her when she attacked Ann Winterton over some comments she had made (something not too difficult). I then started reading her blog with interest because, whether I agree with her or not, she always puts her case with a degree of force without going OTT and making you feel resentful if you do disagree with her (Well I find that's how it is with me anyway). I did have the pleasure of bumping into her in Victoria Street in January this year, and Andrew tells me that it was this encounter that inspired him to arrange a "Bloggers4Labour" anniversary meet up, which in time inspired me to arrange a bloggers social just over a week ago.
Plus she lives in Oxford with her partner Antonia, which is one of my favourite parts of the country, given the fact I spent five happy years living in nearby Enstone, plus my love for things history, Inspector Morse, and C.S. Lewis.
The Wonderful World of Lola
Recently came across Lola via Jo. Her blog is a bit girly, but has a fey charm all of it's own and makes compulsive reading.
WongaBlog
I first met Andrew at "WongaBlog" at the "Bloggers4Labour" anniversary (Is it me or are most Labour bloggers called Andrew?) Bit of a quiet chappie when you meet him, but earnest and steadfast in his convictions, and very gracious. He has a love of Sci Fi, but I think he is a bit tired of the David Tennant jokes, given his resemblance to the actor.
Bloggers4Labour
Has been running for nearly eighteen months now, and works as a network of Labour bloggers. Andrew Regan who runs it, is the only person I have met via the blogosphere on more than two occasions. Quiet and unassuming, he is definite in his ideology (we are of the same age, but whereas I have always tended to be at the Healey/Crosland/Jenkins right of the Party, Andrew has shifted from the left to the right in the past decade) and has a degree of knowledge of films as well as politics.
Antonia's blog
Came across her blog, via her partner, Jo. A Parliamentary Candidate at the last election (as was Kerron) and now a councillor, I find that, like my views regarding Jo, I disagree with her on issues like All Women Shortlists and abortion. That said, she gets a lot of unkind and unfair, and rather vicious flak from people from F4J and she holds herself well, and far better than perhaps you or I. Like Jo and the two Andrews, I find her opinions, whether right or wrong, are worth reading and taking on board.
BrightonRegencyLabourSupporter
I noticed him in the B4L newsletters, basically because he takes a strong view against Christianity and other religions. He must have noticed my blog as well, because when I met him at the B4L anniversary, he made a beeline for me and proceeded to interrogate me on my faith and where I stood in consequence on various issues, and in the meantime Kerron (the only other Christian there) proceeded to remain quiet and let me take the full flak (thanks mate!)
That said, in our own curious way, Neil Harding (for that is his real name) and I got on well, and he introduced me to the delights of the alcohol drink known as DarkStar. Hard, uncompromising, and takes no prisoners in his attacks on Conservative Party policy and ideology, he makes you cheer when he publicly emphasises what you were thinking with regard to various aspects of Conservative Party policy, but were wondering how to articulate your message in the same hard hitting manner
Skuds' Sister's Brother
These things work like chains. I forget how I came across Andrew Skudder's blog, but I know it was via a link from one of the above bloggers. Met him at the B4L anniversary. A keen and tenatious local campaigner, his blog is always worth a look if you want to know the serious, but entertaining side of Crawley local politics.
PooterGeek
One of the organisers of the Euston Manifesto. Damien Counsell has a witty and entertaining blog, and when he is not mentioning his passion for Nigella Lawson, he defends the EM and waxes lyrical about his photography. Met him a couple of times, great guy, very friendly and approachable.
Jt Tenth
NormBlog and Rullsenberg Rules
The latter is the blog of Lisa, who lives in Nottingham . Keen on Buffy and Doctor Who (namely David Tennant), Lisa is the partner of Neil a.k.a. Cloud.
"NormBlog" is the work of Norman Geras. Probably the most mature blogger, in terms of argument and intellect, in the blogosphere. His blog is a must read for all political minded people on the Net.
Conservative Bloggers of Note
Tim Roll-Pickering
Possibly the most considerate and gracious Conservative Party activist I have met (But don't let that fool you, he is also sharp and knowledgeable in his arguments), he is also great fun to wind up. That said, he is also one of the very few Conservatives who, if I was at the same count on an election night where the Conservatives lost, and badly, I would buy him a drink as a form of commiseration (believe it or not, for those who aren't political reading this, Labour and Conservatives can see each other as human beings). I came across his blog via Jo.
Iain Dale
Have started reading his blog and am considering putting a link onto mine. Thing is though, I did meet him once at the 2003 Party Conference and found him standoffish and got the impression he was someone who is only interested in people if they are important. That said, the evidence does seem to sometimes point the other way and I probably caught him on a bad day! His blog is entertaining and full of interesting nuggets of information, but be warned, I am told he can be selective when he deals in arguments and he can be acerbic.
Liberal Democrat
Thoughts
The blog of Louisa Wiloughby, who I came across via Kerron (as they go to the same Church in Watford). An undergraduate at Selwyn College, Cambridge. Louisa is currently studying History and German. Passionate in her views, and rather analytical, she nontheless has a gentle side to her demeanour which can make you rather protective of her. But be warned, she is uncompromising in her views and whilst she listens to her opposition, can be strident and resourceful, and therefore a bit of a tough cookie. I met her once, and over coffee she berated me and other Labour activists for not toppling Tony. Labour activists will be pleased to know I gave as good as I got and mentioned the Lib Dems bullying of Charles Kennedy. That said, she is fun to be with, as indeed are most of the other bloggers here (The only two listed I have not met are Lola and Antonia)
posted by Paul Burgin at 3:31 PM
7 Comments:
"...a bit girly, but..."
you seem to imply that said girliness is a bad thing!! Shame!
Paul, just to show you must have caught me on an off day I will be adding a link to you on my blog tonight! I don't think I have ever been accused of that before - many iother things though!
Lola
Not at all, there are types of girliness and the sort you personify is rather endearing :)
Iain
I hope my criticisms weren't that bad, but just to show I am not churlish, consider yourself having a link on my blog in return :)
I think it's the 'but' that slightly scuppers your case, hehe!
But there was no malice meant! ;)
i am highly amused!
unfortunately i believe "...a bit girly, but..." to be an accurate description!
Aah! However can I prove otherwise :)
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