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Tony, Watford said:
If nobody reads the Watford Observer – how did you find out? Also why does Richard Harrington pay for advert on its front page every week then?!
# 31 December 2009 at 12:34 pm

Chris (author) said:
Tony, the point is actually more to do with the use of the WO as the SOLE form of political advertising. And I don’t say that no-one reads the paper, because obviously lots do – but not all 60,000-plus people in the constituency.
It is an important element, but should not the sole element of any political campaign – that’s why, despite Richard’s advertising in the WO, I use lots of my free weekends delivering leaflets around Watford.
The WO is a fantastic local newspaper, but it should be relied upon as the sole place to advertise political events – the Lib Dems should get to pounding the pavements and leafleting the town, not just relying on the WO to do their job for them. After all, they didn’t even take out advertising – just sent a press release!
# 31 December 2009 at 12:52 pm

Matt said:
You say poor quality website – and I’d agree, I emailed them highlighting 5 spelling mistakes in one article the other day (including the name of a road, simple stuff eh?).
Although on the other hand, have you looked at this one in firefox? I doubt the text boxes to enter your name and mail for a comment not being visible at all was a design “feature”! (I found them with a random click or two in the end)
# 31 December 2009 at 1:28 pm

Kieran said:
Although it’s obviously fairly poor that they’ve not managed to publish it on their website, if they did, you would post the same article, possibly with even more to back up your main point – that it would attract only Lib Dem supporters.
I’d argue that the Watford Observer is the best place to advertise such an event for as wide an audience in Watford as possible. You’re simply wrong to say that “most people don’t read”. This is not fact, just opinion and/or blind speculation. If we’re being honest, it was a simple way of trying to make what you were saying appear stronger to anyone that doesn’t live in Watford or doesn’t buy the Watford Observer. Although you say it was only a small article, where else do you suggest they publicise this? Leaflets through doors? Fair enough, but David Cameron is in a different position to Vince Cable, surely?
Your example of the Conservatives targeting commuters into London at Watford Junction could be criticised as going for predominantly wealthy people in the Watford area. Obviously, this would be lazy journalism and clutching at straws, but that appears to be what you’re doing here.
Surely you should be happy that the Lib Dems wouldn’t be ‘converting’ anyone with this event, seeing as you’ve said it will not attract anyone other than Lib Dem supporters anyway.
This whole article is nothing more than publicising inter-party hatred. It’s just depressing to read it. The fact that there’s a whole story devoted to showing that the Lib Dems appear incapable (to you) of properly advertising something that would only benefit them shows what’s wrong with politics these days. It’s a slanging match, and it’s rarely about policy.
# 31 December 2009 at 1:56 pm

Chris (author) said:
Matt, that was an error I had previously noted but not got round to fixing yet – but I have now done so.
That was, however, a minor thing in comparison with the abysmal design of their entire website.
# 31 December 2009 at 2:00 pm

Chris (author) said:
Kieran, my argument is that the WO should not be the ONLY place to advertise it – and they haven’t even technically advertised it, just sent them a press release. They should be leafleting, putting it on their website, advertising it properly.
I’m happy, just disappointed. But more than anything I believe in democracy. I would expect the Lib Dems to care enough about democracy to want to give everyone the chance to come and question Vince Cable.
# 31 December 2009 at 2:15 pm

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