Speaking in the chamber yesterday during a debate on the future of local papers and “Digital Britain”, Ed Vaizey, the Shadow Minister, Culture, Media & Sport, said

Blogs, such as ConservativeHome, Iain Dale’s Diary or Guido Fawkes’ blog, are effectively taking over some of the role of national newspapers and are capable of breaking important stories with very few resources. That shows that technology will help to fill the vacuum…. For example, a website such as ConservativeHome provides a community base for those of us interested in Conservative politics. Although it might break news, it also keeps us in touch with what that wider community is doing.

Strange that he didn’t mention the Tory Bear blog, since Guido knows he is a reader.  After it listed Vaizey as the Sexiest Male MP, he was so chuffed he ran down the corridor outside his office excitedly shouting “Have you seen?  Have you seen? I’m the sexiest MP in parliament.” His researchers had to put up with him regaling visitors and telephone callers with the news for days…