Category seven in the Conservative Movement Awards concerns use of technology...
...a good blog or podcast...
...a successful viral email campaign...
...a standout website...
...advanced search engine management...
Tomorrow nominations will open for the 'Contribution to Culture' award.
Well I don't want to be too fawning Tim but I really can't think of anyone who has done a better job with new technology than you.Whatever your political persuasion CH has set the standard for political blogs in the UK.
Posted by: malcolm | April 30, 2006 at 08:25
Thanks very much Malcolm but as I said in the first post in this series ConservativeHome can't win any of its own awards!
Posted by: Editor | April 30, 2006 at 08:37
I nominate Jonathan Sheppards Tory Radio.
He has taken a great technological tool and used it to help important Conservatives, connect with ordinary ones.
Posted by: EU Serf | April 30, 2006 at 08:48
Sorry Tim I was away when this series started and didn't see your post.
Posted by: malcolm | April 30, 2006 at 08:56
Tory Radio, a clear winner.
Posted by: Chad | April 30, 2006 at 09:25
I would nominate Tory Radio as well. Looks set to go from strength to strength.
Posted by: Andrew Woodman | April 30, 2006 at 10:10
Tory Radio
It will be a dull vote with just Jonathan Sheppard on his own, so I would add
Iain Dale
Guido and the Monkey - the Monkey isn't a Tory, but we could hardly nominate Mr Fawkes without including one of his staff, could we?
Posted by: William Norton | April 30, 2006 at 10:40
Tory Radio....now I have managed to move to broadband!!
Posted by: Annabel Herriott | April 30, 2006 at 11:10
Tory Radio
Posted by: Daniel Vince-Archer | April 30, 2006 at 13:29
What about Grant Shapps? (technophile MP of 2005 vintage)
He has up to 15% of his constituents on his emailing list, amongst other things.
Silcon.com article
Posted by: PisaBoy | April 30, 2006 at 13:57
If Grant Shapps is nominated for any more awards, he ought to be offered leadership of the Party...
Posted by: Nadim | April 30, 2006 at 15:14
It doesn't actually exist at the moment but what do people think of Annabel's Astro-politics?
Every day our North Country Nostradamus could swirl the tea leaves and scan the stars for what will be in next week's headlines. Winner?
Posted by: The Late Doris Stokes | April 30, 2006 at 15:41
I like both Guido and Tory Radio, but I can't decide which most!!
Posted by: Patsy Sergeant | April 30, 2006 at 16:53
If we are looking at using technology to further the Conservative movement then it has to be Tory Radio. A novel idea that has already had some high profile interviews. Far ahead of anything the other parties have come up with.
Posted by: Jules | April 30, 2006 at 17:43
What is Annabel's Astro-politics?
I can't find this anywhere.
If it is a branch of astrology, I'm afraid it cannot qualify as a 'new technology'. This has its origins in Mesopotamia, or the 'Land between the Two Rivers' (probably Babylon), and evidence suggests it is some 7000 years old. Sorry, Doris (and Annabel).
Posted by: Nadim | April 30, 2006 at 17:57
I'm sure ToryRadio deserves to be on the shortlist but who else should be on that shortlist? Some more ideas please... What political/ conservative websites are particularly impressive, for example?
Posted by: Editor | April 30, 2006 at 19:56
Only this one it would seem Editor. Shows how far the party as a whole is behind, in the use of the internet. Iain Dale and Guido are certainly worthy of consideration as blogs.
Posted by: Andrew Woodman | April 30, 2006 at 20:08
Im touched by the nominations for Tory Radio - thanks to everyone.
There are three people/ initiatives Id like to nominate.
The first is Iain Dale and his diary. Firstly I love the gossip that Iain provides us with - but also because he is never too busy to provide advice to other bloggers and podcasters. He is also doing great work with his own podcasts which I think make great listening.
The second nomination for me would be the right links exchange. Don't ask me how it works - as I am too technologically incompetent - but I can see how such a "project" if thats the word can help cement the conservative movement together and lay the foundations that will help bring about electoral success.
The third initiative for me would be the re-instate Roger campaign. Whether you agree with the objectives for me is not the point. The campaign is run wholly by local activisits who through using the web and emails have brought an issue to the attention of the party leadership both in the UK and in Europe - which is a great indication of how powerful the internet can be.
Posted by: Jonathan Sheppard | April 30, 2006 at 22:40
I'm not sure about how to nominate for this award. The really good blogs are generally not great examples of technology at work but simply good writers and investigators. The few examples we have of innovative uses of technology have already been nominated.
The nominations we have are good but I think what this exercise has clearly demonstrated is that we lack decent viral campaigns etc. A positive side to this is that it constitutes a real vindication for ChameleonArmy.Com.
Posted by: Matthew Sinclair | April 30, 2006 at 22:49
Nadim!! The late Doris Stokes is taking the piss! I used to post a few astro thoughts, as Astrology is an absorbing hobby. But John Coles posted that it was rubbish, and tim told me off. Fair enough. Mr. Coles should read fridays Indy. There is a two page spread on this metaphysical doctrine. It may be older than 7000 years.When were the tablets dug up? Planning the Nile flooding by Venus rising? If Mr Coles upsets all the Hindu folk by saying their traditions are rubbish, we will be in bother. If you want an astro prediction, next general will be hung, because Uranus, (disruption) will be hanging around then, we get in next, when neptune will be squaring our sun, around 2012 ish. Now I'd best shut up, before I get in bother with Tim again!!!
Posted by: Annabel Herriott | April 30, 2006 at 23:52
If we're talking new use of technology; RightLinks and the ChameleonArmy(if it is allowed) should certainly be up there too, although I still stand by my Grant Shapps nomination.
Posted by: PisaBoy | May 01, 2006 at 07:47
I nominate Right Links ( http://rightlinks.co.uk/linked/index.php ). Serf has developed a site that brings together conservative bloggers from right across the spectrum, linking their sites, aggregating their posts, and providing a discussion forum. I especially like RL's banner exchange facility that gives us all ads across the right blogosphere.
And there are more innovations to come.
Posted by: Wat Tyler | May 02, 2006 at 11:06
Nomination: Guido Fawkes (order-order.com)
Nomination: Iain Dale
Nomination: James Cleverly: for bloggin his mayoral campaign
Nomination: Ed Vaizey MP: for being a Tory MP who regularly podcasts.
Posted by: Dominic Llewellyn | May 03, 2006 at 12:29