A Tory bloggers briefing yesterday highlighted the key role that Tory chairman Eric Pickles believes Tory websites will play in rebutting Labour's key messages.
A Tory bloggers’ briefing last night highlighted the key role that Tory Chairman Eric Pickles believes Conservative websites will play in rebutting Labour’s key messages.
Left Foot Forward was alerted to the private discussions by an email from an anonymous blogger describing themselves as “A Tory Friend” which read:
“Eric Pickles and the CCHQ press team told the bloggers they would be given 7am briefing emails or “talk point memos” during the election campaign which would include the days lines and strategy and rebuttals to Labour attacks.”
Shane Greer, who was at the event, denied that bloggers were offered morning emails but told Left Foot Forward:
“Eric Pickles described the role he thought bloggers could play in key marginals to rebut Labour lies where they cropped up.”
Harry Cole, aka Tory Bear, told Left Foot Forward that Pickles said it would be:
“A very dirty election and that’s where you come in … on rebuttal”
On her blog, Lazy Hyena also quotes Pickles:
“This is going to be one of the nastiest, most brutal campaigns in recent history. And that’s where you come in…”
And a hungover Thomas Byrne, who left the drinks at 2am, said he did not want to comment as he, “was not sure what was meant to be said.”
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77 Responses to “Pickles: Key role for Tory bloggers in rebutting Labour”
Luke
@Matthew Taylor Wouldn’t that be the point of a Tory rapid-rebuttal system? To keep tabs of left-of-centre/Labour-leaning bloggers who might end up striking a nerve or two?
Richard Blogger
Louise B is a star turn, and clearly Pickles prize to her was to disable her irony chip!
Will Straw
Matthew – I think the fact that Samuel Coates of CCHQ tweeted this at 12.45 (ie after just 4 comments) rather proves Chris’ point:
“”Evidence-based” @LeftFootForward has published made-up claims from an anonymous email: http://j.mp/co8c5V”
Also, you were wrong with your comment at 12.48 to suggest we hadn’t read the entirety of the Lazy Hyena quote. We had which is why we only reproduced the quote which was, according to Lazy Hyena in the 4th paragraph, “accurate”.
The fact remains that (i) our headline is accurate and corroborated by several Tory bloggers, and (ii) we outlined in the piece that Shane Greer denied the 7am email allegation. I would call that “evidence-based” in putting all the information available to us in the public domain.
Will
truthmonkey
Will, your defence of your piece (both here and on Tory Bear – “http://www.torybear.com/2010/02/when-is-briefing-not-briefing.html”) seems to be that you were just quoting someone else.
In which case you’ve been a bit daft, and damaged your credibility, rather than actually tried to deceive anyone. That’s not my opinion; I’m quoting from an anonymous email I received.
Liz McShane
All the Tory bloggers seem to be in a right pickle!! (sorry just couldn’t resist posting this….)