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Last Updated: Wednesday, 11 August, 2004, 09:17 GMT 10:17 UK
Your choice of politics sites (Part II)
By Brian Wheeler
BBC News Online political reporter

Escape key on keyboard
Here are users' nominations for the best political satire sites, some of the best sites by MPs and other elected representatives, online campaigns that have caught your eye and more local grassroots sites.

(You will find links to all of the sites mentioned on the right hand side of this page.)

Whitehouse.org, a slick satire on the official White House website, was described as "fantastic" by Jasper Stocker, of Manchester. "Some people mistake it for the real thing" said Paul Smith of King's Lynn, "which is very scary".

The Brains Trust, which features spoof stories about British politics, such as a Tory plot to install a computer-animated Winston Churchill as their leader, was described by Ian W, of Scotland, as being funnier than legendary US satire site The Onion, while Ben, from Brixton, said it was "jolly good".

Deadbrain
Deadbrain: 'Fantastic political satire'

Deadbrain, which sends up British and American politics, including "Dubya's Week" - "verbatim highlights of the daily journal of George W Bush" - was described by Sam Hastings, of Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, as a "fantastic political satire site".

Midnight Plumbers, an entertaining mix of horse racing tips, political satire and, er, plumbing, also proved popular. Brian Day, of Bath said the site "makes me laugh daily," while a section showcasing "the secret poetry of Scotland's First Minister, Jack McConnell", was described as "hilarious".

The Portadown News is equally savage about both sides of the political divide in Northern Ireland. "An extremely funny take on the realities of political life here," said Patrick Moore, of Belfast.

The Rockall Times
Rockall Times: 'Cuts through the spin'
The Rockall Times , sample headlines: "Public applaud new-look RoboBlunkett" and "Jacques Chirac joins UKIP," also received favourable reviews. "This outfit really cuts through the spin," said Lesley O'Neill, of Newcastle.

UK Today, "the musings of a citizen of the People's Republic of South Yorkshire," has a cutting line in satirising the New Labour establishment and the Labour party's Big Brother-style "Tories in turmoil" site.

The Campaign for an English Parliament and Cross of St George, on a more serious note, were named by several people as lively and engaging sites and "worth a visit".

Ombudsman Watch, which monitors the activities of the local government ombudsman, also received praise. Wendy, of Dorchester, described it as "a group dedicated to reform of an organisation that is not as impartial as its founders intended".

Mast Sanity is a rallying point and advice shop for people planning campaigns against the erection of mobile phone masts, while its sister site Planning Sanity is full of advice on how to take on your local council's planning department.

Wavenetwork, a new site from the progressive, socially libertarian right, was nominated by readers as a "innovative and interactive" and a "cool, modern outlook on politics".

Liberal Democrat Youth and Students received several nominations. "It's a great place for young aspiring politicians to practice their cross bench cross fire", said Emma Bearly, of Grantham.

Paul Flynn
Paul Flynn: Entertaining site
Paul Flynn, Labour MP for Newport West, was praised for his entertainingly off-message site.

Sir George Young , Conservative MP for North West Hampshire, keeps constituents up to date with chatty bulletins on life at Westminster, e-mail advice and local news.

Robert Key, Tory MP for Salisbury, provides a regularly updated archive of speeches and opinion on his well-designed site.

Michael Portillo, Tory MP for Kensington and Chelsea, probably has the glossiest site of any MP at Westminster, complete with a video archive of the former defence secretary's TV appearances.

Duncan McNeil, Labour MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, also had a popular site with constituents.

www.adamsdown.org.uk, a site by Lib Dem councillors Nigel Howells and John Dixon, received a couple of nominations. "I know rubbish collection in Cardiff and planning isn't exciting to people who don't live here but actually its really helpful and as one of their voters it has helped me feel more informed," said constituent Ali Goldsworthy.




SEE ALSO:
Your choice of politics sites
04 Aug 04  |  Politics
Send us your top political sites
30 Jul 04  |  Politics
The revolution will not be blogged
06 Aug 04  |  Technology


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