Web Reviews - The lighter side of party politics.
If you've had your fill of web-based party politics, there are 'alternative' sites where you can indulge in serious debate or have a well-earned giggle
With election campaigning in full flow, many will be looking for an alternative view on what is happening.
Last week, we looked at the major parties and also a couple of independent news services, all of which played the game very straight. But the web is an ideal medium for different views on our politicians. There are satirical sites, single issue sites, and some that are frankly, plain silly.
A fantastic example is www.williamhague.com, not the homepage of the Tory leader but that of William Hague, naturist.
This only goes to show how you should register your domain name and all the permutations that you can think of to prevent such hijacking.
Another good example is www.newlabour.co.uk, which after a short wait takes you to … the Conservative’s home page.
Worse still is www.tory-party.com which links you to the Socialist Workers party.
At first sight, the Widdy Web page looks like it is a spoof as well, but no, it is actually Ann Widdecombe’s home page (www.annwiddecombemp.co.uk).
Sadly, it has been closed and links to an official Tory page, www.electannwiddecombemp.co.uk.
The Tony Blair homepage (www.tonyblair.co.uk) was rather boring, having been ‘squatted’ by someone determined not to allow the domain name to be abused.
On the site it is actually possible to indulge in some political debate, unlike www.spinon.co.uk, which borders on the puerile but is nevertheless amusing in a vaguely harmless way.
Spinon does have some genuinely funny moments, and the games on the site will help pass the time of day before 7 June.
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On a more serious note, it is well worth having a look at the www.tacticalvoter.net website.
You might not agree with the sentiments but it shows how the web can be used to bring together like-minded people.
Conservatives have already questioned the legality of this and other tactical voting sites, though the Electoral Commission has yet to act on them.
Moving on, it would be wrong to miss out that great political loony, Screaming Lord Sutch.
His memory lives on through the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, and its website (freespace.virgin.net/raving.loony) promises to carry on his legacy. As the site says, Sutch was an inspiration to those who believe democracy is intended to be more than just a two-and-a-half party system.
And finally, if you thought the BBC was biased, it’s worth reading www.bbc.co.uk/info/genelection/index.shtml to see the steps the great broadcaster has taken to ensure impartiality.
OUR TOP FOUR SITES
www.williamhague.com
A joke site worth sharing with your friends. We are assured this William Hague does exist.
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www.spinon.co.uk
Borders on typical student humour, but will raise a smile, particularly with some of its online games.
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www.tacticalvoter.net You might not like the idea, but it is a good example of how the internet can be used to bring together disparate communities.
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freespace.virgin.net/raving.loony
Proof that British eccentricity is alive and well, and living in a pub in Hampshire
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