Last night saw the launch of Total Politics magazine from the 29th floor of Millbank tower. Its website went live over the weekend and promises to be a useful go-to point for information about British politics.
As well as hosting most of the monthly magazine's content, the website has a repository of political blog links, a daily Q&A with political figures, and a few blogs including a Local Government one that Eric Pickles will be contributing to. ConHome readers might be particularly interested in TP's interview with Lynton Crosby - the man behind Boris Johnson's victory.
The magazine is sent to all politicians in the country and is, as its publisher Iain Dale said last night, unashamedly positive about and focused on the political process, rather like the Campaigns & Elections Politics magazine in the US. We wish it well.
Magazine feels very studenty in quality - cheap paper. Pretty boring content. Bit like the kind of magazine that's free on a train. As for the website, the designer must have been on magic mushrooms or trying to win a bet on who could use the most colours - no matter how illegible.
I'm not sure I want anything to be unremittingly positive about politics. As with Cons Home, things are improved when people are put under pressure and called to account.
Posted by: Political Anorak | June 24, 2008 at 10:36
The picture on the front cover is enough to put anyone off.
Posted by: johnC | June 24, 2008 at 10:48
I feel quite sorry for Iain Dale, he tries so hard and keeps failing.
I wish total politics well but I fear it wont even last as long as that wonderful treatment for isomnia '18 doughty street', another absolutely bonkers idea.
Posted by: Dale | June 24, 2008 at 12:32
I rather liked 18DS, though it looked like a net destroyer of wealth.
Not sure I can see the point of Total Politics.
Posted by: Man in a Shed | June 24, 2008 at 13:02
I'm looking forward to reading the cover interview with the Supreme Leader - quite a coup for a known Tory to get him to agree to an exclusive. You should always know your (political) enemy...
I'll be reading this magazine avidly.
Posted by: Louise Bagshawe | June 24, 2008 at 13:13
COMMENT OVERRIDDEN
Posted by: Sartorialist | June 24, 2008 at 15:21
I hope the magazine will contain some weighty material and not just be dedicated to the political milieu. The Westminster smart-set can be quite narcistic and this in turn makes them intellectually lazy as they buy into any trend that has currency. I hope Iain will hire a few people to ruffle the feathers, an interview with Pat Buchanan or Ron Paul would be interesting. Don't let this venture become an exercize in political vanity, make it into a challenging read.
Posted by: Tony Makara | June 24, 2008 at 15:55
Looked good but the first article, written by Clemency Burton-Hill, made me stop reading. I then thumbed through the rest only to discover Alan Duncan was giving me some fashion advice and Gordon Brown perfers Indiana to Bond. I think I will be sticking to the Spectator and the Economist.
Posted by: a real shame | June 24, 2008 at 16:53
I rather enjoyed the magazine - a fresh of breath air compared with the other free distribution political magazines like the House Magazine.
Posted by: John Williams | June 24, 2008 at 18:06
Thanks for the kind (Louise and John) and not so kind comments. We were proud of our first issue but will continue to strive always to do better with each successive magazine.
Posted by: Malcolm Dunn | June 24, 2008 at 21:54
I've read the first issue. Not in the league of the truly outstanding Standpoint.
Posted by: F T P Topcliff | June 24, 2008 at 22:36
I had a read of this magazine this evening and have to say I was not terribly impressed. Very little grabbed the attention.
If it sees 2009 I will be surprised.
Posted by: Phil Scott | June 24, 2008 at 23:31
Well of course it will see 2009 because it is being bankrolled by investors. It's a free distribution mag, so the issue is whether advertisers will pay for it and they seem to be willing.
Posted by: Chaz | June 24, 2008 at 23:43