March's issue of Total Politics is now on sale in W H Smith and bigger branches of Waterstone's and Borders. You can also read an e-Zine version HERE, or read individual articles HERE. Highlights in this issue include...In Conversation with David Cameron
Profile of the Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales
Charles Crawford: The best & worst ambassadorial postings
Political Novels: Pageturners for the political anorak
Is the future of TV digital?
Tom Harris & Douglas Carswell debate how big the House of Commons should be
Ben Duckworth on the political awkward squad
Mark Pack on why politicians should twitter
Amber Elliott on why audiences are flocking to political theatre shows
Robert Waller profiles the marginal seats of the South West
18 comments:
The future of TV is not digital - the future of programmes is.
In ten years time, I confidently predict that there will be no TV "channels" as we now know them. No families will gather around the TV at 7.30pm to watch Eastenders, only the BBC News Channel will remain.
All other programming will be pay-to-view delivered via the web, probably with an encoded, time limited file, properly protected against copying.
The Licence Fee will have gone. In its place will be a trust fund established from the PTV fees garnered from putting the BBC archive on-line.
Watch what you want, when you want, where you want. and pay an appropriate fee. I bet it will be less than the licence fee!
Erm...what was the point of the Newham Mayor interview? Where were the inciteful questions about dodgy dealings in Newham Labour? How about some questions about his much ridiculed Parks Police which operated as Wales' own private police force?
As it was, it just seemed to be a few quotes from the Wikipedia page on Newham and a couple of strokes and rubs of the mayor's ego...
Are you trying to boost the magazine's circulation in Newham council?
Iain, maybe I'm missing something here, but why would anyone go into the shops to buy the magazine when they can read it online for free? If there is content in the magazine that isn't available online, shouldn't you highlight the fact and let the skinflints know what they're missing?
just a suggestion. I'll get my coat...
Tom, it's called marketing - sprat to catch a mackerel!
Enjoyed the Cameron interview, thanks Iain.
The psychedelic page colours of TP make it difficult for me to read online. Its like looking at porn with the interesting bits pixelated out.
With Andy on the Robin Wales joke of an article.
What is it with the Tories and their lovefest with the Mayor of Newham? I was the councillor who brought to light the parks constabulary fiasco (crossed the floor to the Tories because of it, only to find that the Tories love him more than his own party does - there are currently moves within Newham Labour to de-select him as candidate for Mayor in 2010).
If the general public really knew what went on with the constabulary they'd be very, very worried about what directly elected mayors can get away with if no one questions them.
I find it laughable that a good portion of the "interview" is about housing; maybe the writer should have done some research (or asked someone who knows) and made a reference to the recent independent investigation into the Housing Department in Newham.
And then there's the purchase of Building 1000, sparkly new offices near the City Airport intended to be the new Council Offices. The Council claims it cost £78,000,000 to purchase; yet I pursued this with the Authority via Freedom of Information only to find the real cost was £111,500,000. A bargain in the current economic crisis.
Then there is the fact that he has half of the Labour Group paid off as his special advisors a peculiar get-around allowing him to influence council votes (the legislation for elected mayors only allows for a cabinet of 3 to 9 members - in his first term he had 9 but now he has 3). Some of his "advisors" get allowances larger than that of some cabinet members (some are on an extra £40,000 on top of their £10k plus basic allowance).
No other authority with an elected Mayor does this… I've done the research.
Any chance of any of this appearing in Total Politics?
Mike, please do send in a letter to the editor. editor@totalpolitics.com
Iain, is that the same person I have to contact to request that this unsolicited mail stops being sent to my home? I have enough mail pushed through the letter box that I am obliged to read before shoving it in to the recycling box without having to put up with this sort of unrequested junk mail being posted every month.
Iain,
Don't worry, I will... may be a bit on the long side though!
Mike, if it's long it won't be published, or will be cut. Keep it shortish.
Bob, Very happy to add a few quid to our bottom line by taking you off the mailing list. You only need to say the word.
Iain, I thought I just did? It isn't just your publication. I object to unsolicited mail whether it be from Total Politics or Stormbright Double Glazing. So, feel free to swell your coffers during these difficult times.
Iain,
Thanks for the heads up on that. But the point I was trying to make is that there is a lot about the Wales Mayoralty that needs investigating and highlighting.
And I'm serious about the point I made with regard to the Conservatives failure to address what he gets up to in Newham. When I joined the Conservatives I thought they would operate very much like Labour in so much as they would jump at the opportunity to "dish the dirt" on a flagship Labour administration of a London borough. They couldn't be arsed and one senior Conservative told me that he thought Wales was a splendid chap!
Will keep my letter short as possible but I will also outline for the editor some of the shenanigans that have gone on under the Wales administration - who knows, it may prompt an article!
Mike
Just got to the end of the Wales interview (couldn't before as I had to take a break because of the pap).
Take a bus? Must be a relief for the council chauffeurs who drive him around in the council vehicles.
And what on earth is he on about with the kid that came to see him who had been sitting in one place for six years? Was this some juvenile yogi seeking further enlightenment from Newham's all knowing Mayor?
For f#%k sake!!!
It always bugs me that I seem to get my subscriber copy a few days after it comes out in the shops. Haven't got it yet this month, which is frustrating - really looking forward to the Cameron interview. And I agree with Wrinkled Weasel, I find the website pretty impossible to read.
Bad Bunny, My copy arrived at home on Saturday. Can you let me know when yours arrives. I am looking into changing the publication dates so subscribers are guaranteed to get their copies before it appears in the shops.
Keep up the good work!
Post a Comment