The Times (£) today publishes its list of the Top 50 most influential Liberal Democrats which has been compiled by blogger turned LBC presenter Iain Dale. This site’s two co-editors and our Associate Editor are both in it.
At 33, Stephen Tall is described thus:
Last year Tall replaced Mark Pack as co-editor of the hugely successful Liberal Democrat Voice, the must-read site for party activists. A research associate at CentreForum, he is usually more at home with the politics of David Laws than of Simon Hughes, but rarely picks factional fights as a critical friend of the party who prefers to talk up its achievements rather than knock them down.
This is all fine except its not accurate that he replaced Mark Pack. They worked together for several years.
Caron Lindsay is a new entrant at number 40:
Another entry for the influential Liberal Democrat Voice blog, whose online polls often leave top Lib Dem politicians in a state of fear. Lindsay is strong voice for women so may be disappointed if, as looks increasingly likely, the party returns no female MPs at the election. She is currently treasurer of the Scottish party and a member of the federal executive.
This is also all fine apart from the fact that the polls which apparently have The Great and Good quaking in their boots are more Stephen’s work.
The Divine Ms Helen Duffett climbs to number 47:
Duffett acts as a bridge between party establishment and membership and is credited with a huge improvement in the effectiveness and relevance of communications. As honorary president of Liberal Youth, associate editor of Liberal Democrat Voice, and host of regular online Q&A sessions with party ministers, she is, unlike most messengers, widely liked – which helps her greatly in the role.
Former co-editor Mark Pack is in at 24.
Pack is a key player in the Lib Dem blogosphere. Though he has left the Liberal Democrat Voice blog as co-editor, he remains a regular contributor. His daily email bulletin is a must-read for senior Lib Dems and politicos alike. Co-author of 101 Ways to Win an Election, he is considered one of the party’s key thinkers on campaigning tactics and organisation. One of the few go-to Lib Dem pundits for the mainstream media.
That’s not a bad result for our website which is run entirely by volunteers.
Elsewhere on the list, there are only two women in the top ten and only nine in the top 50. Nick, naturally tops the list with Danny Alexander in second place. You can read them in full here (£).
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10 Comments
Caron Lindsay is a new entrant at number 40
Congratulations to Caron on being rated the FORTIETH most influential Liberal Democrat.
Given that we still have more than 50 MPs, more than 100 Lords, some MSPs and Members of The Assembly in Wales as well as one MEP and even one or two councillors running local councils — it is an interesting reflection on them all that Caron is rated the FORTIETH most influential Liberal Democrat.
At 33, Stephen Tall is described thus:
“..he is usually more at home with the politics of David Laws than of Simon Hughes,”
Is the fact that Stephen is a regular contributer to ConservativeHome a factor in his relatively high placing?
Well John, it is a list compiled by journalists and bloggers, it might be natural for their concept of inluence to emphasise the work of journalists and bloggers over that of elected representatives…
Congrats anyway. Do you get awards?
matt (Bristol) 7th Oct ’14 – 2:01pm
Do you get awards?
matt (Bristol) — Is that a question to me?
Sorry, there was an abrupt change of subject halfway through the post; not very good.
I can make you an award and mail it to you if you want one, though.
matt (Bristol) 7th Oct ’14 – 3:26pm
I can make you an award and mail it to you if you want one, though.
No that’s OK. It’s the thought that counts. 🙂
These league tables are pretty silly. ‘Bits of fun’. It is no disrespect to the people named to point out that Ian Dale knows less about the Lib Dems than I do about flower arranging.
I can always rely on you to burst my bubble, John Tilley:-). Good to have my feet kept firmly on the ground.
Glad to see that Helen Duffett, Our 2010 candidate for Romford, has made the list.