Comments on: boris johnson

By: Barry Dorrans

Barry Dorrans — Mon, 25 Oct 2004 12:50:53 +0000

Oh it's not that Hugh (although the seat is a "safe" conservative seat, people vote on party lines, not for a person), it's more that the site isn't that useful for constituents. It's not an MPs blog, it's the blog of someone who happens to be an MP. *shrug*

By: hugh macleod

hugh macleod — Mon, 25 Oct 2004 09:08:38 +0000

To be fair to Boris, Barry, the folks in Henley knew full well that Boris “had a life” before they elected him. They also know he was unlikely to give it all up just to be a journeyman backbencher. And they voted him in, knowing this.
“Dear Mrs Jones, Thank you for your letter on the 16th of April regarding your leaky roof yak yak yak…”
I don’t think so.

By: Barry Dorrans

Barry Dorrans — Sun, 24 Oct 2004 23:14:57 +0000

Ah, so it’s backdated? Without, errr, marking it as such? Unless I missed a “all this is backdated” then oh dear, that’s rather close to lying IMO. Then there’s using his parlimentary staff for pushing non-political stuff? Hmm, wonder how close to the bone that is.
Nice layout though Tim, congrats on that.

By: Tim Ireland

Tim Ireland — Sun, 24 Oct 2004 21:55:29 +0000

Barry, the blog has only been live for 4 weeks. Most of the data you refer to is of the backdated variety; press releases, parliamentary appearances, articles, and like that. Give the man time.

By: Barry Dorrans

Barry Dorrans — Sun, 24 Oct 2004 20:27:07 +0000

Boris is my MP.
Now, as a constituant lets look at what his site provides for me. Oh. 2 entries. Over 2 years.
Nothing else that relates.
As much as I like the man (and I do), his site is useless for his work as an MP. It’s pushing the Boris cult, nothing more. Of course inbetween publishing magazines, writing books, apologising to Liverpool and appearing on TV perhaps he can only spare one blog entry a year to the issues that affect those who voted him in.

By: hugh macleod

hugh macleod — Sun, 24 Oct 2004 00:52:43 +0000

Sure, I know Tom Watson. He’s good.
The issue is not which MP started blogging first. The issue is which political party can handle smarter markets.
Smarter markets are here to stay. Politicians are like anybody else– some have no problem with it, other are not so fortunate.

By: Joe

Joe — Sat, 23 Oct 2004 23:16:24 +0000

There’s been a Labour blogger for ages:
http://www.tom-watson.co.uk

By: hugh macleod

hugh macleod — Sat, 23 Oct 2004 20:56:23 +0000

The only thing Hugh MacLeod is good at is being Hugh MacLeod.
So maybe it’s an empathy thing
Besides, being good at being “you” while still remaining on the front bench is no mean feat. Most MPs would utterly fail if they tried.

By: Andreas

Andreas — Sat, 23 Oct 2004 20:49:54 +0000

Not to get into politics here, but the only thing Boris Johnson is good at is being Boris Johnson. A little bit like Apple. In my opinion, of course.
Totally agree with the Labour party comment of course. Can you imagine? Central office would freak.