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United, even when we disagree!

By Derek Draper and Alex HiltonLabourHome

There have been several posts on the blogosphere about LabourList and MessageSpace, which places adverts on various blogs. Last week LabourList suggested that the fact that MessageSpace involves Alex Hilton and Jag Singh of Labourhome and anti-Labour blogger Paul Staines aka Guido Fawkes was problematic.

Alex and Jag have made it clear that they are happy to be involved in such a commercial venture alongside their political work and have pointed out the benefits it brings to Labour bloggers. LabourList continues to question the arrangement and the tone and content of Paul Staines’ blog and we will continue to stand up against racist, offensive and hateful comments.

But we have agreed to disagree on the issue of MessageSpace. What matters more is building Labour’s online presence. Dozens of great blogs, including Labourhome, Go Fourth and LabourList are making a real impact and we want that to carry on. We also need to make sure we continue to engage with people on the issues that really matter and ensure the spotlight is kept on the Tories.

Despite our differences we have worked together on our own projects and hitherto been supportive of each other. Having agreed to disagree on MessageSpace that will now continue.

Yours in comradeship,

Alex Hilton and Derek Draper

Derek Draper was the founder and first editor of LabourList.<br /> <br /> In his political career, Derek worked for Peter Mandelson for four years during the mid-1990s, and founded Progress Magazine in 1996, which was instrumental in the development of New Labour and which is still going strong today. In 1997, he published the book Blair's First 100 Days.<br /> <br /> Derek is also a writer and psychotherapist. He was a former regular on ITV1's Kyle's Academy and featured on an ITV Tonight Special on phobias in November 2008. In 2007, he was awarded Journalist of the Year by the Mental Health Charity MIND, and wrote the chapter on mental health in the 2006 book _The Future of the NHS_ which you can download here. His new book, Life Support: A Survival Guide For The Modern Soul, was published in April 2009 by Hay House.<br /> <br /> Derek is married to Kate Garraway, the GMTV presenter, and has a wonderful 3-year-old daughter, Darcey and new son Billy.

View all articles by Derek Draper
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