Though Cowards Flinch

Yesterday I completed my application to become a member of the National Union of Journalists, a symbolic statement to myself (no-one else was listening) that my life path is changing quickly now.

Today I thought I’d better crack on, so I’ve sent the email below to all Labour leader candidates, seeking an interview. 

If you don’t ask you don’t get, and it will in any event be interesting to see if there’s any response, given the candidates’  general commitment to engagement with the grassroots of the labour movement (and I do count myself within the grassroots). 

We’ll see.

Dear [candidate]

I am leader of the Labour group on West Lancashire Borough Council, but perhaps better known in the labour movement as @bickerrecord (twitter) through my blogs The Bickerstaffe Record (voted No.2 best councillor blog in the country in 2009) and Though Cowards Flinch, a left/left of centre blog which commands a reasonable readership (currently ranked 38 on Wikio).  I am also a regular contributor to Liberal Conspiracy (2nd most read politics blog in the country) and have started writing for Red Pepper.

I am writing to ask whether you would like to be interviewed by myself, for publication at Though Cowards Flinch but with wider distribution.  The interview can either be by email response or in person.  In a ‘bit of fun’ manner, I have set out the main themes I would want to question you on here along with my initial ‘scoring’ (I expect these scores to rise during the campaign).

In summary,  I would want to talk with you about your views on a) Labour’s political economy; b) political organisation and party democracy; c) welfare policy; d) foreign policy, aid & world trade development; e) education policy; f) migration/immigration; and g) communication strategy.

There would of course be an opportunity for you to set out any distinctive plans/policies/ideas not covered under the above headings.

If you are interested in taking up this offer of communicating your views to Though Cowards Flinch’s politically active, social media-aware and sometimes influential readership, and the readership of media outlets that link into Though Cowards Flinch regularly, please let me know and we can go forward to make arrangements.

Please note that this invitation is being made to all candidates.