political commentator * author * publisher * bookseller * radio presenter * blogger * Conservative candidate * former lobbyist * Jack Russell owner * West Ham United fanatic * Email iain AT iaindale DOT com
Monday, January 24, 2005
What do You Think of the New Website Design?
Take a look at the new www.IainDale.com. Hope you like the new design. I've added a few new sections, especially quite an expansive one on our national policies. I'm sure you'll all let me know what you think!
6 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Sorry Iain but all that red and white and the crosses - I think you are playing right in to the hands of people accusing you and the Tories of being populist. Its a bit too much like the BNP style.
I could not disagree with you more. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using red, white and blue. Are you saying we should be ashamed of our national flag?!
Backed with all the fuss that Michael Howard is making about asylum issues, it's easy to see 'Anonymous'' point. Perhaps a little too desperate to win back UKIP voters at the real risk of alienating most floating voters? No wonder the poll ratings are so dire for The Tories. It's William Hague all over again.
Er, you're on the wrong track there. This was designed several months ago and has received an extremely positive reaction. I should get used to it as you'll be seeing rather a lot of it over the next few months.
I am not ashamed of the flag either, Iain, but I think the two Anonymouses (Anonymi?) are making the point is that it is all about context.
A George Cross flying on a church on a feast day or a Union flag above the village bandstand is one thing (most would agree a positive thing). Union Jack boxer shorts are quite a different thing (I will draw a discreet veil over what). Use of a national flag on party political material is a third, and in my view far less wholesome thing.
Politicians have sometimes stated (as you do here) that people do not like the Union or St George flags used for party political purposes because they are ashamed of the flag. I believe that this is a misconceived view. It is precisely because the flag is an important unifying symbol that people like me do not like to see it used in such a way. Ideally I would like to see it used sparingly and respectfully to honour military and (to a lesser extent) sporting heroes, and for traditional religious and social purposes.
It is, of course, your choice if you want to use it in other ways. However, I do not think you should dismiss people's discomfort at such usage as a lack of respect or as shame - quite the opposite.
A very well argued post, James, if I may say so. I am very respectful of the flag and I really don't think using it in politics demeans it in any way. I think all parties in Wales and Scotland use the national flags and I know Labour have certainly been using both the Union Jack and Flag of St George in some of their campaigns recently.
I really hope the days have gone when the English flag is perceived as having any unfortunate connotations. I accept that 10 years ago it would have been different, but it is a sign of how the debate has matured that we have reclaimed the Flag of St George from those who sought to abuse it.
6 comments:
Sorry Iain but all that red and white and the crosses - I think you are playing right in to the hands of people accusing you and the Tories of being populist. Its a bit too much like the BNP style.
I could not disagree with you more. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using red, white and blue. Are you saying we should be ashamed of our national flag?!
Backed with all the fuss that Michael Howard is making about asylum issues, it's easy to see 'Anonymous'' point. Perhaps a little too desperate to win back UKIP voters at the real risk of alienating most floating voters? No wonder the poll ratings are so dire for The Tories. It's William Hague all over again.
Er, you're on the wrong track there. This was designed several months ago and has received an extremely positive reaction. I should get used to it as you'll be seeing rather a lot of it over the next few months.
I am not ashamed of the flag either, Iain, but I think the two Anonymouses (Anonymi?) are making the point is that it is all about context.
A George Cross flying on a church on a feast day or a Union flag above the village bandstand is one thing (most would agree a positive thing). Union Jack boxer shorts are quite a different thing (I will draw a discreet veil over what). Use of a national flag on party political material is a third, and in my view far less wholesome thing.
Politicians have sometimes stated (as you do here) that people do not like the Union or St George flags used for party political purposes because they are ashamed of the flag. I believe that this is a misconceived view. It is precisely because the flag is an important unifying symbol that people like me do not like to see it used in such a way. Ideally I would like to see it used sparingly and respectfully to honour military and (to a lesser extent) sporting heroes, and for traditional religious and social purposes.
It is, of course, your choice if you want to use it in other ways. However, I do not think you should dismiss people's discomfort at such usage as a lack of respect or as shame - quite the opposite.
A very well argued post, James, if I may say so. I am very respectful of the flag and I really don't think using it in politics demeans it in any way. I think all parties in Wales and Scotland use the national flags and I know Labour have certainly been using both the Union Jack and Flag of St George in some of their campaigns recently.
I really hope the days have gone when the English flag is perceived as having any unfortunate connotations. I accept that 10 years ago it would have been different, but it is a sign of how the debate has matured that we have reclaimed the Flag of St George from those who sought to abuse it.
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