Ross Grant - Conservative - Leicester South

I'm slightly miffed all the Conservative candidates are getting their campaign sites through Central Office. This tends to give the same touch to each. I'm looking at Ross Grant's site and he comes across well but nothing too exciting about Ross himself. Seeing as he "conducted research for a variety of industry sectors including public sector, international post services, retail and wholesale banking sectors" he could have given himself a really snazzy site.

That's where this "on message" stuff gets in the way of proper campaigning. By the time a real gem from Ross has done the rounds, been sanctified, sanitised and specially sanctioned, his electioneering message has lost its shine. Pity. He seems to have lots going for him. My advice is - read between the lines to get the real message.

I give Ross Grant's Campaign Site a Voter Friendly 4/10 for Election Information

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Eric Pickles is an online champ!

Whatever one may think of Eric Pickles, you can't fault his eagerness for internet campaigning. It's a mixture - sort of Yorkshire Terrier meets Essex Man - and I think he puts the Conservative cause quite nicely here.



His own website gives the impression of being a subtle blend of old Liberal campaign favourites "spot the pothole" and my mum's diary "I have always felt very proud to be super-common.”

I give Eric Pickles' Campaign Site a Voter Friendly 6/10 for Election Information (plus an extra point for personal bio!).

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Frank Cook - Independent - Stockton North

Unlike most independents in this election, Frank Cook is a sitting MP standing for re-election. The difference this time is that he will not be fighting under the Labour Party banner, New or Old. He has now quit the party, saying Labour is "no longer the party I joined in 1950". That is stating the bleedin' obvious Frank! It's amazing it took him so long to realise this. I get the impression some Labour MPs allowed Mandelson and the Gang to hypnotise them good and proper. Rather like the Little Britain character, Kenny Craig, "Look into my eyes, not around the eyes...."

How many will be hypnotised this time round?

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