Sunday 11 January 2009

LabourList launches

You've probably already read elsewhere - in today's Mail, in today's Observer, and on other blogs about the Labour blogsite, LabourList, which is officially launched tomorrow. So, first impressions?

Likes
: the media round-up; Charlie Whelan's piece on Cameron on Marr (useful link to transcript); the idea of Lunchtime Lists; some of the contributors (tho' that will depend what they're going to say and how they're going to say it - keep it short would be my suggestion), and the rapidly-taken decision to weed out the trolls right from the start. ("In order to ensure an insightful, engaging debate we will also place other comments judged to be grossly unintelligent or obtuse or trolls in our trash can.") No doubt this will be met by the usual fake outrage from the libertarians, but it's our site, not theirs.

Dislikes
: confusing comments (end up having to read backwards, but even then they're pretty difficult to follow); appearance of usual trolls in comments section (but see above). And if they really want me to give it a plug, you'd think they could find space for just one more name in their A list. (I attempted one of those smiley faces then, but no... still can't bring myself to do it).

15 comments:

Remember Remember said...

LOL. I have a good idea what "Labour/Con/LibDem minded people are and within a few seconds I was bored to distraction. I might give the comment section a test hammering in the distant future if it's still there and if I'm really bored but the place exudes a lameness of unimaginative bores.

The Bristol Blogger said...

Absolutely terrible site. It's not a blog but a crude government propaganda exercise and tediously dull because of it.

It's just full of old stagers from '97 - Mandelson, Whelan, Draper etc. It's the blog equivalent of a reunion tour. So we'll be getting all the hackneyed crowd-pleasing classics and not much of the acutely embarrassing new album won't we?

Haven't the Labour party got any one young, new and fresh to do this sort of thing?

Don't start putting smiley faces in your posts. You're not twelve and neither are we.

DaveA said...

Kerry I trust you are well.

I have to disagree with you on some of your points. Yes of course libelous, offensive, completely inarticluate comments should not be published. However when someone descends into the latter two adjectives, the person ends up losing the argument by default. It just smacks of the Labour Party not adhering to the spirit of free speech.

Any Kerry my moderate post which I assume will be published gives your site a plug (shameless brown nosing, albeit in context) and most importantly I have a new place to rant and vent my spleen on the ..ok.ng b.n

Kerry said...

RR - the site's not for you. You purport to be in favour of free speech, but then obviously support behaviour (trolling) which just spoils the site for people who do want to use it.

BB - some of the contributors - Chuka, Stella, Sarah Mulholland (NUS), Will Straw - are young. There are a few faces that seem a bit like blasts from the past - Roger Liddle for example - but I think it's reasonably well-balanced.

Old Holborn said...

It's a fabian shoutbox

1. Muddled
2. Confusing
3. Rubbish

I'm no Tory but that heap won't even make a pea sized dent on the Blogosphere.

Hacked Off said...

Already derelict and drifting. Poor old Mandy has failed his own promise to reply to commenst once his job summit finished. Although with all these job losses maybe it's running over time. 3,000 more today! Thank goodness that Gordon and Alistair have done away with Boom and Bust.

The Penguin

Unknown said...

I found it over cluttered (as is Labour Home) I am clearly too old for all this and prefer well ordered blogs like yours and Bristol Bloggers. Politics Home is far better for keeping up with what's going on in the country.

I haven't been convinced to blog yet - but if elected....

Kerry said...

Paul - see earlier post Feet First... we've been waiting for your return!

Old Holborn said...

I see the Penguin has made national news

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2009/jan/13/peter-mandelson-media

More than you, Kerry.

Kerry said...

Au contraire, OH, my new media activities made the Mail on Sunday only last week, as you would know if you paid attention.

Next Tuesday is Penguin Awareness Day. We're debating in the office whether to 'go big' on that, or the Obama inaugaration. Tough call.

Old Holborn said...

Sorry Kerry, I haven't managed to catch up on the Mail on Sunday yet. I'll be changing the cat's litter tray tomorrow and I'll have a look then.

Kerry said...

That means you buy it.

The Bristol Blogger said...

I really rate the Mail on Sunday ...





... I'll get my coat ...

Old Holborn said...

I agree BB

It's very absorbent

Katabasis said...

Kerry - the "moderation" over at LL has been pretty much indiscriminate.

Although obviously, all of the people being critical (including those identifying themselves as having been long time labour supporters) were clearly members of the worldwide libertarian terror network of blogger cells.

There were plenty of comments made over there, by lots of different people, that didn't fall foul of the moderation/comments policy at all.

They just weren't "on message".

We don't need satire any more with your friends in charge Kerry.