Published: Friday, 27th February, 2009 3:23pm

Politicians join the blogging boom

by Adam Hewitt

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IT'S all about interactivity these days so Reading's politicians are embracing the net more than ever before.

Reading East MP Rob Wilson has just relaunched his website and included information about his voting record, speeches and expenses alongside a new discussion forum. He has also included links to his page on social networking site Facebook, videos of him on YouTube and his blog posts.

He called the relaunch "hotly anticipated" and said: "I'm delighted that we've got the site up and running. Being an effective MP requires your constituents to have a platform to voice their opinions about particular issues and I feel that the new site provides that."

Self-confessed ‘Luddite' Martin Salter has recently relaunched his site after months of delays. The Reading West MP's page includes lots about his campaigns, biography and contact details.

Reading's councillors have caught the blogging buzz, with lots of them uploading their thoughts for all to see - and some are even quite interesting.

Independent Battle ward councillor Tony Jones has been doing it for ages, but new boy Cllr Richard Willis has seen his blog really take off, with a good mix of gossip, opinion and analysis buttressed by the Conservative party line. Regular plugs from blogging grandee Iain Dale probably help.

Most other Conservative blogs are updated less regularly, but some are still worth a peek, including those of Cllr Emma Warman and Cllr Dave Luckett.

Lib Dem Cllr Warren Swaine blogs regularly, including thorough reports of council meetings alongside the satire, as does his young colleague Cllr Glenn Goodall who sets out exactly what council business he gets up to each week. Tilehurst Cllr Ricky Duveen has also just joined in, but it is too early to judge his efforts yet.

Labour's blogging record is patchy. Cllr Chris Maskell seemed to give up last year when defection rumours were swirling. Apart from that - nothing.

Links:

http://www.robwilsonmp.com

http://www.martinsalter.com/

http://richardwillisuk.wordpress.com

http://rickyduveen.mycouncillor.org.uk

http://www.glenngoodall.mycouncillor.org.uk

http://www.cllrdaveluckett.co.uk

http://waswasere.blogspot.com (Cllr Warren Swaine)

http://emmawarman.wordpress.com

Any to add? Please email ahewitt@berksmedia.co.uk

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