In praise of Mr Draper

Not particularly a political post. I just wanted to say that Derek Draper's had a rough week. Tory bloggers are after him, because he has finally provided an answer to them. He can actually call them out when they overreach, as Iain Dale did over Carol Thatcher, and Guido has done over his appalling commentators. That's quite a rare thing. In Derek we have a Labour personality, not a politician, and not an ex-insider who's only interest is spilling the beans (Lance Price). But someone who can put up a redoubtable defence, and set out a positive agenda, and not care too much about the brickbats that then come flying.

I know people are worried that Labourlist is just a vehicle for him, but just look at it. Look at the articles, the range of voices. Derek has to be front and centre, it's a good thing because it means the site is taken seriously.

To coin a phrase 'there are 17 bloggers that matter in the Labour Party, and to say that I know all of them would be an understatement.'

Sorry...

Labourlist

Derek Draper's promise to even up the Conservatives' domination of the blogosphere took a small step forward over the weekend with the quiet launch of the beta version of the Labourlist website, complete with an interesting post from Peter Mandelson, and a weird picture of his Second Life avatar.

The site is pitched in a different way to Labourhome which has a pretty much 'anything goes' policy on content. Labourlist instead focuses on generating debate and content from senior party figures. Which is probably why it has been totally mobbed by disruptive and negative comments from 'Tory trolls' as they are affectionately known. Who are these people?!

It's intended as a serious space for party activists and those with a genuine interest in positive debate, so worth checking in to see what some of the key party figures have to say.