As obliquely referenced earlier, The world’s most unbearable ginger chipmunk spoke at the Hansard Society on Nov 5th. The text of the speech is here.
Most of the speech is fluff – amongst which are some true pearls of wisdom including barbs at career politicians. The real core of the speech – at least the part that has pissed off a whole load of UK bloggers – is this:
This brings me to the role of political bloggers. Perhaps because of the nature of the technology, there is a tendency for political blogs to have a ‘Samizdat’ style. The most popular blogs are right-wing, ranging from the considered Tory views of Iain Dale, to the vicious nihilism of Guido Fawkes. Perhaps this is simply anti-establishment. Blogs have only existed under a Labour Government. Perhaps if there was a Tory Government, all the leading blogs would be left-of-centre?
There are some informative and entertaining political blogs, including those written by elected councillors. But mostly, political blogs are written by people with a disdain for the political system and politicians, who see their function as unearthing scandals, conspiracies and perceived hypocrisy.
Unless and until political blogging ‘adds value’ to our political culture, by allowing new and disparate voices, ideas and legitimate protest and challenge, and until the mainstream media reports politics in a calmer, more responsible manner, it will continue to fuel a culture of cynicism and despair.
So, bloggers are the cause of cynicism and despair, are they? Right.
Happily, Hazel is roundly taken apart by several bloggers – thusly:
http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/2008/11/06/blears-on-blogging-clueless-or-wilful-ignorance/
http://fabulousblueporcupine.wordpress.com/2008/11/06/cynical-nihilism/
http://www.order-order.com/2008/11/not-nihilistic-realistic.html
My absolute favourite, though, comes from Old Holborn on his day of victory, who took her apart in person.
http://bastardoldholborn.blogspot.com/2008/11/hazel-blears.html
AJ
