Fifteenth best Labour blog, apparently
Well, it appears that this blog has been rated the 15th best Labour blog in the country this year, down from 5th last year. I’m pleased, as this year has not been a good one for blogging for me. Major changes in personal and professional life, plus the sheer workload of being a councillor hitting for real, means that blogging has fallen far far off the agenda. The reasonably tedious habit of the Oxford Mail’s Insider column of reproducing almost verbatim anything vaguely politically-frivolous I write, with associated spin, means that I’ve ended up being a bit cautious. I’d also say that the blog’s subject matter is becoming more limited, as my views on the majority of feminist issues (rape, abortion, fathers’ rights, sex education and teenage pregnancy, equal pay) haven’t changed much, but merely reproducing a new post on the same topic every time they’re in the news seems pointless. I also have to try hard not to post on the issues that I work on, as although there are many advantages to working on the issues you care most about, one of the disadvantages is the limiting effect on what you get to say in a personal capacity. Finally, I think I’ve moved a bit politically, and my allegiance to the party has hardened, meaning that I am both less likely to criticise the government’s actions (particularly since Brown took over) and more likely to self-censor when I want to shout about how wrong they are. Hey ho.
The one surprising omission from the Labour list, though, is, of course, the utterly wonderful Let’s be sensible. Spent a happy half-hour dissecting Gordon’s policy announcements and rhetorical style with Tom on the seafront this week, sharing our mutual disbelief that the word “maths” might pose a challenge to our glorious leader.
So, I’ve worked hard at two party conferences, and am enjoying a precious day at home frantically filling the washing machine in preparation for a third in the hideous Blackpool. I’m also trying to book a last minute break in the sun for a week; unfortunately it’s likely to be the week when Gordon goes for it, which may mess up my holiday plans slightly, as instead of strolling along a beach, I instead stroll gently around Rose Hill, asking people for their vote for Andrew and Gordon.
Blackpool’s lovely! Tory conference might not be, admittedly…
Blackpool is horrible - cold, miles from anywhere, nowhere nice to eat dinner, no decent coffee. I wouldn’t mind it so much if I were choosing to be there, but when it’s not a choice and you’re there for work, well…
Thank you! I’m not bitter in the least - I’d rather be praised by people I like than be in one of Iain Dale’s league tables.
(Not that you don’t deserve to be ranked highly in Iain Dale’s league tables. Just that you also deserve to be praised by people you like.)
Shocking allegation! Though you and I may have different tastes in ‘nice to eat dinner’. It’s full of chippies that do proper actual food, none of your Southern nonsense without even any batter bits.
Miles from anywhere is also a bonus in my book, and while I can’t have coffee any more, I was never that fussy about it to start with. It’s a shame I’m going to Bournemouth next week really, though at least it does have the most amazing all you can eat Thai in the world.
I wouldn’t worry too much about how the folk who read Iain’s blog rate yours. Many of them are best described as Upton Park (only a stop away from Barking)….
jdc - I’m a woman who’s lost more than three stones in weight through eating a healthy diet and going to the gym in the last year. I need salad: where does one get one in Blackpool?!
Why you in Bournemouth next week?
National Association of Local Councils at the BIC. I am continuing to develop our strong partnership with parish and community councils.
Salad. That’s a good question, as I’m about to tip 14 stone for the first time in a couple of years, and while it doesn’t really show, I’m not that pleased about it. We’ll see if I can stick to the nice tomato and pepper soup I’ve made for lunch or if the sausage and mash that was meant to be for tea comes calling later…
“I need salad: where does one get one in Blackpool?!”
Ah. Erm. Wetherspoons if you want to sit down, M&S if you don’t, is the best I can offer.
Hey,
How anyone can spend 5 days at the Tory conference and comment that Blackpool is horrible defies belief! I think you might find that the company you were in spoilt it somewhat. Labour comrades from the Home Counties love running Blackpool down - which really doesn’t help us when we’re fighting elections….. The local Tories seize on every comment like yours and play it for every vote - thanks!