Total Politics Blog Poll

This site has slipped to second place from first last year in the annual Total Politics Blog Poll of MPs websites. This is not of course an MP’s website as narrowly defined – it is a running commentary and an invitation to my readers to a debate on the state of the nation and the world economy. However, there will be no excuses for this slip in the polls. I must do better.

Starting from today there will be more satire, more analysis of a kind you cannot read elsewhere, and more campaigns. Satire is difficult, when events are often beyond parody, so categories one and two will often merge! Happy blogging.

41 Comments

  1. Brian Tomkinson
    August 18, 2009

    Who cares about Total Politics you’re blog is by far the best.

  2. Brian Tomkinson
    August 18, 2009

    Sorry, I meant to write “your blog”.

  3. paul
    August 18, 2009

    If its any comfort John, I have no idea how Tom Harris’s blog came top – well done for demolishing A Eagle on Newsnight last week by the way

  4. Freeborn John
    August 18, 2009

    It’s my fault. I forgot to vote this year!

    Just keep up the usual quality of posts and it will sort itself out next year!

  5. Irene
    August 18, 2009

    Your still my favourite John!

    1. Steve
      August 19, 2009

      Irene
      “your” is a possessive pronoun.
      “you’re” is a contraction of “you are”.
      I think you wanted the latter.

  6. no one
    August 18, 2009

    well i think your blog is best

    why dont you do a round the houses of each policy area?

    the headings from conservative party web site are

    Business
    Community Relations
    Countryside
    Climate Change and Energy
    Crime and Justice
    Culture, Media and Sport
    Defence
    Democracy
    Economy
    Environment
    Europe
    Family
    Foreign Affairs
    Health
    Housing
    Immigration
    International Development
    Local Government
    National Security
    Schools
    Transport
    Universities and Skills
    Voluntary Sector
    Welfare and Pensions
    Women

    why dont you give us a post on each of these? especially the ones you dont do regularly

    just an idea

  7. Stewart Cowan
    August 18, 2009

    If you promise to provide some satire to help me cope with the destruction of our country, I’ll try to visit more often.

  8. Well, Well… | Mike Rouse
    August 18, 2009

    […] Last year’s winner, John Redwood, came second and promises more satire over the next 12 months. […]

  9. Jon
    August 18, 2009

    Even so congratulations, I didn’t realise you were first last year. This is a very informative blog and often an insight into Westminster workings, fascinating. That is important, is it more important than being first? Are we going to see Mr Redwood becoming a celebrity now, dropped in some jungle reality TV show eating kangaroo balls to get airtime? I doubt it or seriously hope not.

  10. Steve
    August 18, 2009

    Don’t change it, John. Let’s stay authoritative rather than populist. Keep it up. Respect!

  11. Paul (1)
    August 18, 2009

    Well done John,

    Whatever position you appear in the league tables, if I want a clear, concise, well thought out response to an issue facing the country I can normally find it on your blog.

    keep up the good work

  12. Chuck Unsworth
    August 18, 2009

    ‘Must do better’? Don’t be too hard on yourself. Are you interested in popularity, or in quality?

  13. Jeff
    August 18, 2009

    Aha! The fightback for top spot starts here.

    Good stuff, you can’t beat a bit of satire to balance out the serious stuff. Looking forward to it…

    PS Congrats on second, a fine result even if it is 1 spot down on last year.

  14. Morus
    August 18, 2009

    You’ve got worthy competition Mssrs Harris and Carswell, and all three of you are unmissable reading in your own ways. Thanks for another year’s worth of thought-provoking material and analysis.

  15. Stewart Knight
    August 18, 2009

    Mrs Dale has become a champion of Labour blogs so what do you expect John? And yes, me and many others have noticed this and know what we are talking about.

  16. None
    August 18, 2009

    I hope that is a joke.
    The serious discussion of important matters found on this blog is the reason for it’s success. No thank you to soundbites, popularity contests and soundbites please.

  17. None
    August 18, 2009

    You can edit out the first soundbite 🙂

  18. Robert K, Oxford
    August 18, 2009

    If you can raise your game even further I will be truly impressed. As it is you already out-produce most supposedly full-time columnists in the mainstream media. Thanks for a great blog.

  19. Lola
    August 18, 2009

    You want to satirise this government? THIS government! You’re kidding? One of the problems is that they are beyond satire. They are just useless, and in my opinion always have been.

    But Mr R your lot are not blameless. The complete lack from 1997 to about 2007/8 of an effective and challenging opposition – admittedly when given the admittedly rare opportunity by the Labour ‘shut down the debate technique’ – is unforgiveable.

    1. APL
      August 18, 2009

      Lola: “The complete lack from 1997 to about 2007/8 of an effective and challenging opposition ..”

      Seconded.

      Of course many of the ‘Big Tory Beasts’ were quite happy to join that nice Mr Blair in his ‘big tent’, now it looks like the Tories may regain power well, whadaya know! The Big Beasts are back in the shadow cabinet.

      Lola: ” unforgivable”

      Yes.

  20. The Daley Dozen: Tuesday 
    August 18, 2009

    […] thing.5. John Rentoul berates Gordon Brown for leaving Tom Harris languishing on the backbenches.6. John Redwood promises to be funny.7. Tim Montgomerie’s seven defences of political blogging.8. Stephen […]

  21. Mark
    August 18, 2009

    Sorry, didn’t vote. Your comments are in a class of their own and your industry an example to other MPs.

    If there are not enough serious readers out there, that is not your fault.

  22. ManicBeancounter
    August 18, 2009

    There is nothing like a bit a competition to incentivize one to try harder to serve one’s customers!

  23. StevenL
    August 18, 2009

    Postal votes?

  24. StevenL
    August 18, 2009

    Another thought, is Labour blogs are gaining popularity maybe this is just part of their natural transition to HM opposition?

  25. None of the above
    August 18, 2009

    How about a clip of you singing the Welsh National Anthem?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIwBvjoLyZc

    I always found this ‘beyond parody’

    Reply: So kind of you to share the BBC;’s enthusiaism for me to be the one politician who enjoys eternal youth at every showing!

    1. Freddy
      August 19, 2009

      Hah ! Advantage, Mr Redwood !

  26. subrosa
    August 18, 2009

    Oh John, I wouldn’t let this affect your blogging style. Continue as you do.

    Of course Tom Harris came first. He’s Iain’s pal.

  27. Martin
    August 18, 2009

    John I like your blog because it is thought provoking whether I agree or disagree.

  28. Rob
    August 19, 2009

    Don’t change a thing John. This is by far the most informative blog I have come across from an MP. Better luck next year too. I don’t have an axe to grind with Tom Harris, though. He has one of the few Labour blogs I actually like to read and contribute to.

    For me MP’s blogging is a fantastic way for them to keep in touch with the opinions and concerns of the public. In these days when MP’s are so often accused of being out of touch with the public, blogs like his and yours are good examples of how that’s not always the case.

  29. THE ESSEX BOYS
    August 19, 2009

    Well it ain’t OUR fault as we voted in this poll for the first time – and inded had you at No 1 (by a long way) and – as good Essex boys – the ever-stroppy Carswell at No 3.

    Your blog is good technically and user-friendly as well as authorative, interesting and sometimes very funny. As we say, whenever it appears, the circular from the CEO of UK plc is a classic!

    If it gets any better that will be an unexpected bonus but, yes, satire and humour are under-used weapons in our political system and good analogies always hit home with the man on the street.

    As we say out here in ‘God’s Own County’…bloody well dun mate!

  30. alan jutson
    August 19, 2009

    John

    Well done, and thank you for the opportunity to make comment on a range of subjects.

    I am at last begining to understand a little about Government finance and how it works (I think) thanks to your knowledge.

    Good to see an MP is not afraid to put his opinions on the line, wish we had a few more of them.

    Please do not go over the top with the satire.

  31. Mike Stallard
    August 19, 2009

    I must look at Tom Harris’ blog!
    If it is even better than this, I am expecting something along the lines of Samuel Pepys!

  32. Havocman
    August 19, 2009

    Well done John. Second is impressive as this is not a chatty blog but one that deals with serious and complex issues but in a way that us ordinary mortals can understand.

    So keep up the good work and let’s hope that you have considerably less time to devote to the blog come next June.

  33. Martin Coxall
    August 19, 2009

    Don’t feel bad to losing out to Tom Harris. You know, for a Labour MP, he’s not half bad.

  34. Neil Craig
    August 19, 2009

    The total of voters on that poll was 1500 so my guess is that about 5-10 votes separated you from the winner. That is pretty much within statistical variability.

    If you are that keen on winning next time all you have to do is put up a reminder & link here a few days before. Personally I would suggest you do what you are happy with & let the chips fall where they may.

  35. Stuart Fairney
    August 19, 2009

    Tom Harris (Tom Harris!) has the most popular blog?

    On an unrelated note, some people prefer burgers to Chateau Petrus

  36. Demetrius
    August 19, 2009

    Grannie always used to say that quality mattered more than quantity.

  37. Citizen Responsible
    August 19, 2009

    I demand a re-count!

    It was compulsory to vote for 10 political blogs and I don’t regularly read 10 so that put me off voting.

    I have checked out other political blogs, but this is the best one and I recommend it to others. JR’s posts are clear, topical, informative, meaningful, and have given me much insight into the workings of our government and the state of our economy in these difficult times. The site is user friendly and the comments are also worth reading which is more than can be said for many other blogs.

    I would like to raise a glass to Mr Redwood for the effort, time and commitment he puts in to maintain this site. Thank you.

  38. Mike Spilligan
    August 19, 2009

    Sorry to be late for the party, but sincere congratulations anyway. Don’t worry about being No2, as many have already said, the general tenor of your blog is just right. Any changes should be just a touch on the tiller.
    Far too late in life I’m beginning to understand a bit about government finance and economics, which you always express so lucidly, and how they should be (and shouldn’t be) handled.
    Surely there should be a place for you on the Front Bench?

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