Politicians blogging....

A journalist student.....Ciaran Jenkins ( who might be my brother...!) has written a very interesting blog -'Welsh Assembly cool on blogging'. I don't sit easy with complimenting Peter Black or Leighton Andrews, but on this occasion I will prove to be the exception I never thought I could be! I think that the fact that they blog as Politicians is positive and is a novel way of reaching out to people who perhaps don't read the papers or watch the news that often. To us politicians, that seems far fetched...but true!

I might not agree with the content of the political blogs coming from our Welsh Assembly Members but I think it is commendable. To have up to date information from a debate while it is happening in the Assembly or to receive personal opinions on how, for example, budget discussions are fairing at the moment can create interest in politics and makes sure that politics is up to date and to the minute. So many websites of Politicians are very poor in standard and are rarely updated. This gives them a stale air, of lack of interest in those of us that use the Internet for information purposes, and creates a feeling of 'I'm too good to blog' amongst Politicians.

Adam Price MP did have a blog for a brief period of time. He was very keen on the idea, and still is. However, he did put a stop to it -I believe because he was inundated with complaints that his blog wasn't totally bilingual all of the time. I think that this is unfair really. Adam Price should be allowed to blog bilingually as he sees fits, and to blog in a language of choice when he sees fit. Blogging is fundamentally different to placing press releases and articles on a website. It's about a natural flow of thought, not about the welsh being translated correctly, to the word. I suggest that we should start a campaign to get Adam up and blogging again. He must be one of the most radical politicians around at the moment, and to find out his thoughts on calling for the inquiry on the War in Iraq, and his recent trip to Venezuela must be of interest to millions out there.

Coming back to the discussion on Assembly and blogging, I think that Assembly Members should broaden their minds to the concept of blogging and its benefits. Of course, you can't tell how many constituents are reading the blogs, but at least you are sharing your opinions with others, are encouraging debate, and are essentially promoting the work that you do in the Assembly. For those AM's who blogon a hap hazard basis, get your socks on and blog more often! One blog every blue moon is a waste. You need to get people hooked, and constantly interested in what you do.

Vetting and policing blogs are also a no no. I can imagine that Leighton Andrews would need to police his blog if Plaid in Rhondda wants to contribute! He's not the most popular Politician in the area, especially given his Unionist, pro monarchy stance!

I know I don't blog enough myself I hear you scream at the computer. True, but sometimes life takes over. I'm sure that if I'm elected as an Assembly Member next year, I'll have plenty of time to sit and blog during plenary discussions. What do you think?!