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”
David T Breaker
Evidence based journalism is not just reprinting any old anonymous email you get, even if you do allow a right of reply, as your publishing of it and the context you created for it implies it is true when it isn’t. Ever heard of checking your sources?
The reason there has been such a rapid reaction by bloggers such as myself is that your conspiracy theory is an attemp to undermine our independence by suggesting we just repeat party line as instructed. Nothing could be further from the truth!
Steven M
The right-wing blogging ‘echo chamber’ certainly are a touchy lot, judging by their response to Will’s original piece.
Shamik Das
They’re also pretty worked up over our article on the “Global Poverty Promise” campaign:
https://www.leftfootforward.org/2010/02/campaign-launched-to-commit-britain-to-spending-0-point-7-per-cent-of-national-income-on-development-aid/#comments
Nice new Tories? Pull the other one!
dizzy
Can I just say…. FIRST!
Sorry, didn’t mean to lower the tone, but I’m a NetNerd, couldn’t help myself and I forgot to do it earlier.
Please carry on with the futile discussion, just ignore me.
simon
When you are up against the Mcbrides/drapers/simons/campbells/browns of this world you have to learn to fight scum with fire. (is there a mixed something or other there?)