Just checking my RSS feeds this morning and was surprised to see a post from David "Dave" Cameron announcing he's starting a conventional blog at Webcameron:
"As well as the (fairly) regular webcameron video blogs, I am going to tap out a (hopefully more) regular written regular blog with some thoughts on what I am up to."
Despite the lack of fanfare - although admittedly I haven't read all of today's papers - this is quite a big announcement. Ok, so we all agree it is easier to blog in opposition but for a party leader with big things predicted for him to blog gives the public a major opportunity to engage with a potential future prime minister.
Don't just take my word for it - here's one of the comments: "it's good to have a Prime Minister (in waiting) that is willing to converse with you!"
As well as giving the voting public a chacne to converse, it also gives Dave's researchers a good opportunity to sift views and detaect trends - a bit like letter content analysis in the old days. True, commenters content is proably biased but at least it's a start.
Technorati tags: David Cameron; Webcameron; blogging; Conservatives
Good spot Simon think this would have crept under my radar otherwise... Certainly something to watch - could be a huge success or a massive failure. We shall see.
It looks as though Cameron is getting some very good/savvy advice...
Posted by: Justin | February 28, 2007 at 02:11 PM
Simon, I wondered if he and his handlers found the video only format restricting after a while? I did on my blog and now combine the two. Interesting move though you are right.
Posted by: David Brain | March 01, 2007 at 05:43 PM
I think it's a really small but potentially significant move. While it might not suggest a ramping up of the Tories campaign activity it may indicate that Dave is starting to have more to about policy issues. At worst, Gordon B should start paying attention...
Posted by: Simon Collister | March 01, 2007 at 07:24 PM