The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Lib Dem website hit by abusive tweets

Party’s website carries attack on Miriam Clegg and reports of activist discontent.

By George Eaton Published 21 September 2010 11:50

After the Tories' "Cash Gordon" campaign was forced off the web by abusive tweets, you would have thought political parties would have learned the dangers of unmoderated Twitter streams.

But clearly not the Lib Dems. Their website currently features all tweets using the #ldconf hashtag but, as the screenshots below show, the comments aren't all flattering.

An attack on the leader's wife, for example, isn't the sort of thing most parties want prominently displayed on their website.

And there's more, as the screenshot above shows. The former Labour PPC Luke Pollard's tweet on activist discontent also appeared at the top of the site's conference section.

Another tweet reported: "#ldconf hall virtually deserted, one activist gave huge yawn." Which isn't the sort of material likely to attract the masses to Conference 2012.

A recent report concluded that Nick Clegg needs more staff to avoid being "overwhelmed", in which case he might want to begin by hiring a few web moderators.

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Tags: Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg Liberal Democrat

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8 comments

Tue, 2010-09-21 12:40 — pickwick (not verified)

Maybe the Lib Dems are in favour of free speech ;)

Tue, 2010-09-21 12:41 — Dave C (not verified)

"you would have thought political parties would have learned the dangers of unmoderated twitter streams."

"in which case he might want to begin by hiring some web moderators."

Given the amount of spam, racist, anti-Muslim and frankly mad rants I've seen of this site, the NS might do well to follow its own advice.

Tue, 2010-09-21 12:47 — Ian morton (not verified)

Hardly life threatening is it? On the most part a healthy debate is ongoing at #ldconf I've even calmed down some Labour trolls!

Tue, 2010-09-21 12:57 — swatantra nandanwar

The spam destroyed Labourhome. Its infiltrating the NS site now nd needs to stiop.
Still, it could be worse; we could be infested with Tory trolls, but thankfully, sensible commentatators have seen most of them off with their tails tucked between their legs.
There is no place for tory trolls racists facists and Lib Dems on this site thank you.

Tue, 2010-09-21 13:04 — Dave C (not verified)

@swatantra nandanwar

I think you're being a bit harsh, lumping Lib Dems in with trolls, racists, and fascists. Most of them are good people: unfortunately, they're lions led by a donkey.

Tue, 2010-09-21 14:45 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

Dave C,

I think you are being rather too forgiving to Swatantra Nandanwar.

Surely the the NS is an open debating forum, does Swatantra Nandanwar want a one sided debate on evrything, isn't it that, which lead to Nazism?

By the way I'm a Liberal Democrat and I still think Nick Clegg is the best Party Leader in the country and so do loads of my friends!

I thought he gave a magnificent speech at Conference!

Tue, 2010-09-21 18:20 — swatantra nandanwar

I've been pretty generous to Nick Clegg, as you know, and one of the few Labour people who think Clegg did the right thing to go into coalition. Its a great opportunity for the Lib Dems to experience Govt and learn about Responsibility. The chance may never come again.
Anyone who knows the NS and LP members will know that you'll never ever get a onesided debate. They'll always end up disagreeing on something.