At last! I've waited 18 months for this. iPad and Typepad should be a perfect partnership.

'Take-out' - gosh, you're almost an American!

Sorry, I came late to this one. I'm not a fan of Mandelson's supercilious style, and have criticised his interview evasions on my blog (http://tinyurl.com/m3qyb) but this time I rather admired his gutsy performance. The way he asked Marr what Blears had actually said was a masterstroke. Can't say I was convinced that Brown never wanted to move Darling, but no one could have turned the reshuffle into a PR triumph.

Stuart Your analysis is absolutely spot on. One of the best commentaries on the BNP's election success I've seen anywhere.

Stuart I share your view that social media shouldn't require a separate code. Professional practice should apply regardless of the discipline. In time, we'll consider it quaint that anyone once thought it necessary to create a separate code for social media.

Just spotted this. It's amusing and believable - we've all had similar 'we need to do something' conversations at work! But Labour needs to remember that using viral marketing and social media in itself is not enough. Back in the real world, people are losing their jobs, companies are going bust and the Government's cunning plans to get banks lending again are having little impact. This piece of playground politics is unlikely to impress voters who don't know if they will have a job next month.

Stuart Esme's a great hire. But I wonder whether you've followed equal opps - you seemed to help the candidate out with some of the answers! Rob

Stuart Good to see you back in action! I've a lot of sympathy for your argument. It's very hard to have a serious debate in Britain without the media - not just political commentators - getting hysterical. The list is endless: taxation, new homes, immigration, nuclear power, political party funding the EU... I'm a big fan of keeping news and opinion apart (feel free to call me naive), but the line between the two is now well and truly blurred. And let no-one claim this is a new development - as anyone who remembers the Daily Mail 'news' pages in triumphant mood after the 1979 election will recall. You're right to remind us that people go into politics for honourable reasons. And in the haze of accusations about sleeze it's worth remembering that few enter politics for personal gain. (Anyone who does is likely to be disappointed very quickly!) But you make it sound as if politicians are totally innocent victims, who have never indulged in spin or misinformation. The problem, of course, is the age old one of getting the rival parties to recognise that Punch and Judy playground politics is a real turn off for voters. Playing to the gallery is addictive - but destructive. A bidding war of unrealistic promises at election time leaves everyone feeling cheated. Politicians need to play it straight - keep your promises, play it straight and treat people as adults. Use blogs, podcasts and other means to communicate directly with voters. (But make sure you talk their language, not Westminster-speak.) Then you'll have a chance... Rob

Stuart Another interesting post. After 7 months as a blogger, I've got a lot to learn, so your comments and links are really helpful. One of the great things about blogging is keeping an open mind about new tools and giving them a go. I've started using Google Reader (in beta only I think at present) which I like. Rob