How is the Maida Vale Manifesto doing?
Talking of blog campaigns, alert readers will recall that in April 2006 Stephen Pollard launched a competitor to the Euston Declaration, called the Maida Vale Manifesto.
The Manifesto was classic Pollard. Showing his natural modesty, he noted that it was probably most likely that only he would sign it, and the 'we' would have to become 'I'. But his real intentions were perhaps revealed by his allowing comments on the post, so people could sign, when he had stopped them on others.
The content of the Manifesto was extraordinary. Historians can, and surely will, debate which was more so - his UAT declaration of an 'enemy within' or his Maida Vale Manifesto claim that:
Theoretical arguments about what is or is not a proper left-wing position are now meaningless. The mainstream Left has demonstrated clearly which side of the battle to preserve Western civilisation and freedom it is on. The Left, in any recognisable form, is now the enemy.
The public response was wildy in excess of Pollard's stated hopes. As of this morning (August 7th) I count SIX definite signatories, and possibly another SEVEN if Spambots are to be counted, although their output was mostly question-marks, which could be seen as a neutral position. Tim Worstall, if he hadn't already signed with the question marks, also seemed neutral. Two contributors contributed despite having 'nothing useful to say', so I think they could be supporters too.
posted by Matthew @ 8/07/2007 07:21:00 AM
Comments: 1
