By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982
Kerry McCarthy has this weekend been appointed as Labour's official new media campaign spokesperson. The role will involved co-ordinating Labour's online presence and helping Labour MPs, PPCs and supporters share best practice online.
Kerry has long been a prolific Twitterer and blogger, and last month was named Twitter's most influential MP in a study by the Independent newspaper.
In an exclusive interview with Mark Hanson for LabourList, to appear here tomorrow, Kerry said:
"Rather than being something completely new, campaigning using new media is simply doing what we’ve always done in a new setting – and rather than replacing traditional ways of doing things, it's about making traditional campaigning methods even more effective."
Last week, the Evening Standard's Paul Waugh said that Labour are getting smarter with their use of the internet as a campaign tool, and Kerry's knowledge and experience of communicating online will be crucial in the run up to the next general election.
Congratulations and good luck, Kerry!
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
I do hope that the rest of the promised article shows better sense than this!
Absolutely the last thing Labour needs is "traditional campaigning methods" - it's very clear that for the past decade these methods have been unfounded spin, diluted only by "Torees eats kittenz". And on the internet, where facts can be easily checked, they are a disaster.
Sensible pragmatic policies, backed by sensible (not selective) statistics, and preferably based on evidence rather than being "this week's wizzard wheeze" are called for.
Locallly-based campaigns, around local issues, with, by and for local people, would also help.
Neither of these remotely resemble nuLabour's traditional methods.
Good luck Kerry.Labour needs better online communications.
Did she not want to tweet with foulmouthedbozos . . ?
Never mind, go to Dadddee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfsBnzYBXzA
Sounds about right.