Uncertain Future For Blue Blogs?

A Conservative victory at the next election could have serious implications for the “thriving” right-of-centre blogosphere, predicts the Spectator editor.

Matthew d’Ancona says the current political blog landscape in the UK could see a changing relationship with the Tories if they attain office.

Writing in the Guardian, d’Ancona states the success of blogs such as Guido Fawkes and Iain Dale’s Diary can be traced to the party’s 2005 leadership contest.

“When it was over and David Cameron installed as leader, the Tory movement had developed a serious taste for online mischief, a demand that was quickly met by entrepreneurial bloggers,” asserts the editor.

“The Cameroons understand this phenomenon and have tried to surf the wave rather than resist it.”

However, d’Ancona suggests Cameron and his web-savvy colleagues will face a “conundrum” if he gets the keys to Number 10.

“Those in power, of whatever political hue, always want to control what is said, to impose message discipline, to centralise ideas.

“In the era of Rove and New Labour they have succeeded, taming rightwing blogs in America and leftwing sites in this country.”

The article by d’Ancona was featured in a special edition of the Media Guardian guest-edited by former Sunday Times editor Andrew Neil.