ConservativeHome to be part of new online campaign venture

"Stephan Shakespeare, founder of pioneering internet-based political Talk TV channel 18DoughtyStreet.com, today announced the creation of a new online political campaigns team to be run by Tim Montgomerie, Editor of ConservativeHome.com and BritainAndAmerica.com.

The new entity, which will be launched in the next few weeks, will focus on a variety of issues of concern to those who feel disenfranchised by the main political parties.

It will also produce campaign commercials similar to the highly successful “World Without America” advert that has enjoyed a combined internet, broadcast tv and radio audience of over thirty million.

Tim and his campaigning platform will be wholly independent of 18DoughtyStreet.com, thereby enabling 18DoughtyStreet.com to develop as a truly independent, commercial broadcaster of non-partisan, interactive and innovative political, news and current affairs programmes."

Comments

[Matt Davis]

Sounds very interesting, especially if as well as focusing "on a variety of issues of concern to those who feel disenfranchised by the main political parties" it also focuses on issues of concern to those very manyConservative party menbers & activists who feel disenfranchised by the party itself currently.

[Richard North]

Are you going to replace UKIP ... please

[TFA Tory]

It sounds like Stefan Shakespeare is pushing Tim out of 18 Doughty Street to rebrand the site. The campaigns did not fit with 18 DS's proclaimed "anti-establishment" stance. Perhaps they harmed its chances of reaching a wider audience and attracting advertising revenue.

[Paul Williams]

Dear Tim

Does this mean that 18DoughtyStreet will now become impartial, cross-party and non-party political?

i.e. Will you have Labour, Lib Dem and non affiliated people working their? as staff?

Thanks

[Matt Davis]

What Paul Williams, you mean like the BBC have Tories and other non institutionally left wingers working there..... not.

[Iain Dale]

TFA Tory, No one has been pushed out. Tim was, is and will remain a good friend of everyone at 18 Doughty Street. He most certainly has not been "pushed out" as I am sure he will confirm. The Campaigns side will be run by Tim separately, but we will still be showing the videos he makes and highlighting particular causes.

In response to Paul Williams, we have always had people on the left working here. One of our crew even proclaims to be a Communist, although he wasn't to keen when I suggested that if he were a true Communist he's take the minimum wage. We're keen to widen our appeal across the political spectrum but that does not mean we will become any less opinionated. We have Peter Tatchell, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Claire Fox and Christian Wolmar as left of centre presenters and I hope we will be making more programmes which have an appeal beyond the right.

We will still be as far to the right as the BBC is to the left, just to provide a smidgeon of balance.

[anonymouse]

"Are you going to replace UKIP ... please"
Replace with what? An ego driven prima donna with a bee in their bonnet for being sacked who thinks that they're the best thing since sliced bread and couldn't run, let alone start a political party? We have the Kilroy T-Shirt on that one thanks very much; without needing an academic variety.

[Daniel Lucraft]

"Are you going to replace UKIP ... please"

+1

Open Europe, Global Vision, Bruges Group .... all good stuff yes. But where's the campaign I can be a part of? I'd deliver leaflets, knock on doors, write letters - for any of them, but they never ask.

[Curly]

The staff and customers in Curly's Corner Shop wish you well in your new venture! Please advise when the first batch of commercials are available for sale (either under or over the counter!)

[Oberon Houston]

Just to be clear Tim, is this an expansion of the Conservativehome site And how will the 'issues' to be pressed be selected?

[Editor]

I can't answer that question yet Oberon.

I will add a few things at this stage, however:

1. I will now be able to give more time to ConservativeHome and BritainAndAmerica because of this change. I've actually been away from 18DS for nearly two weeks now and some regular readers may have noticed a greater intensity of posting?

2. I wish 18DoughtyStreet.com every success and will regularly be promoting their output from these pages.

3. There'll be something new tomorrow as a taster of things to come...

[Oberon Houston]

Very good, candidly speaking I think we need to spread the talent rather than concentrating it. With Sams able efforts I think CH can support a broader platform. Interested to see how things pan out.

[Alan S]

Good luck Tim with your new initiative.

[Graeme Archer]

I'm no use at reading between lines, so I don't really know what this means. But if it signals that Conservative Home will become even more anti-party then I'm sad.

[Editor]

It doesn't mean that this site will become "even more anti-party", Graeme. There's no need to read between the lines. That's all there is by way of information at this stage. More will become clear in due course.

[Dave T]

I wish you all the best with the new initiative - I think if we were all being honest you're better sticking to what you know than to presenting...

[Editor]

I think you are right, Dave. I was not a good presenter.

[Dave T]

But you are an absolutely fantastic blogger. Keep up the good work.

[Editor]

:-)