Tim Montgomerie’s prophecy is coming true. Guido warned them that “The News” will no longer be defined by Big Media. “The News” is whatever is disseminated to a wide audience, Big Media is going to be disintermediated when it falls down because technology has drastically reduced the cost of dissemination. Currently an establishment value-set dominates the broadcast media and consequently political discourse. This is going to be easier to overturn as technology gives citizens the means to challenge the state-controlled media. The dead-tree-press too is getting nervous and testy. You ain’t seen nothing yet…

If you have unresolved sexual identity problems it is an interesting choice as a place to spend your wedding anniversary. “Just nipping out for a minute darling…”

Picture Credit : Theo Spark and The Spine Click to enlarge.

One of the most amusing (and irritating) comment makers on this blog uses the name Peter Hitchens, he writes from a sometimes witty, sometimes demented hard right-wing position. As does the comment maker. The real other Peter Hitchens has been in touch to complain.* So can the impersonator change his user name, so we can avoid getting into a “no, I am Spartacus” bun fight. In fact Guido would like to invite the impersonator to publicly announce his name change in a post where he can also outline his world-view. Email to sort this out.

UPDATE : Hitchens has a blog! Not a very busy blog, maybe “Peter Hitchens” should go and comment over there….

UPDATE II : Have had second thoughts about getting “Peter Hitchens” to change his user name, can he just put his name in ironic quotation marks at least?

UPDATE III : Peter Hitchens has just emailed from the Mail on Sunday to confirm he really is himself. He thought it all very funny until people began thinking it really was him. Is that clear?

*Presumably from the original Peter Hitchens “Would the person who is abusing my name on this blog please cease doing so? It seems to me to be unoriginal, dishonest and rather cowardly to hide your own opinions behind the name of somebody else. I have written this message because I am beginning to receive messages from people asking if I am connected with the person who calls himself ‘Peter Hitchens‘ on this blog.”

Is Mark Townsend a patsy, a liar or an idiot? Is he fit for purpose? You decide. Guido (and his source) would like a little wager Mark…

Multi-millionaire donor Christopher Evans is a long time Tony Crony. Sir Christopher is already under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office, which is looking into claims about the misappropriation of £2.5 million of company funds. ++ Developing ++

TIP TO PHOTO-EDITORS : Sir Chris unveiled Labour’s science manifesto in April during last year’s general election campaign standing next to Tony.

If Guido understands this right, anyone who lives in Battersea, will be able to go along and help choose the local Tory candidate, including Martin Linton the Labour MP.

Jane Ellison, Sam Gyimah, Louise Bagshawe, James Cleverly – you choose who you want – it is (as you can see) an all Cameroonie choice.

On balance his speech yesterday went down well. Journalists were amused to see that in an apposite schedule clash, Ming had chosen to visit a non-alcoholic juice bar when the speech was to be delivered. This was scheduled after Charlie had indicated that he would not be willing to shake hands or embrace Ming on stage for a “we’re all friends now” photo-op.

Fearing “Ming Snubs Kennedy Speech” stories, Ming’s juice trip was re-arranged and Ming was propped up in the front row to be seen cheering enthusiastically by the assembled photographers and cameramen.

To hear a covert recording from the night before of Charlie’s speech rehearsal click here.

Hat-tip : Drinking From Home

An unreliable source says that the remaining Tory wannabee MPs for Battersea are: James Cleverly, Louise Bagshaw, Elleson (who?) Jane Ellison, Sam Gyimah.

Poor sound quality but Charlie really did say “the British public are too thick to understand how to operate a proportional system of voting.”*

LibDem leader in a visit to a non-alcoholic juice bar – what point was Ming making?

Kennedy’s pre-speech joke about no longer being in a position to recommend anyone for a peerage – bit dodgy in view of Yates of the Yard?

Sandra Gidley a.k.a. the Romsey redhead – not looking so red-headed.

“The pro-Israel lobby has a grip on the western media – a financial grip” – Baroness Tonge. Born again Christian Rupert Murdoch might not agree.

Who is Online Ollie?

*He did. No, really. Ok it might be an incomplete edit. Hat-tip : Yellow Peril.