Total Politics

Total Politics
Founding EditorSarah Mackinlay
CategoriesBritish political magazines
FrequencyMonthly
Circulation12,700 (2012) [1]
PublisherDods
Founded2008
Final issue2014
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Websitehttp://www.totalpolitics.com/

Total Politics was a British political magazine described as "a lifestyle magazine for the political community".[2] It was first published in June 2008, and was distributed freely to all MPs, MEPs, peers, political journalists, members of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland assemblies, and all senior councillors down to district level as well as being available by subscription and sold on newsstands.[2][3]

The magazine was created by the journalist Iain Dale and the political commentator and author Shane Greer.[4] The two men launched Total Politics with some financial backing from the then Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party, Lord Ashcroft, who in return owned a 25% stake in the parent company Biteback Media.[5] The magazine claimed to have a fundamental goal of being "unremittingly positive about the political process".[6] The launch editor was Sarah Mackinlay, daughter of the then Labour MP Andrew Mackinlay.

In 2012, Biteback Media was acquired by Dods.[7] The magazine announced in 2014 that it was ending print publication.[8]

In Conversation Interviews

Each issue of Total Politics carried a set-piece ‘In Conversation’ interview with a senior figure from British politics. The interviews were presented in a question and answer format, with no interpretation or analysis.[9] [excessive detail?]

Guide to Political Blogging

Total Politics published the Guide to Political Blogging in the UK, a book listing every political blog in the UK, lists of the best blogs in each blogging category (called Top Lists) and analysis of the British political blogosphere written by experts in political blogging.[10]

The winners in each category were determined by public vote through an email poll.[11] As well as being recognised in the Guide, winners were also provided with digital awards badges to put on their blogs.[12]

Total Politics ranking

A somewhat playful feature of Total Politics was the publication of rankings for all things politics. This included one-off rankings such as the ‘Top 50 Political Myths’,[13] the ‘Top 10 Political Gifts’[14] and annual rankings such as the ‘Top 100 Political Journalists’[15] and the ‘Top 100 Public Affairs Professionals’.[16]

Editorial board

References

  1. ^ Media Pack 2012
  2. ^ a b Silver, James (3 March 2008). "The politics of publishing a must-read mag". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 July 2008.
  3. ^ McSmith, Andy (23 June 2008). "Total Politics: 'This is not going to be some Tory rag'". The Independent. Retrieved 15 July 2008.
  4. ^ Wasley, Andy (30 October 2009). "Interview with Shane Greer". toryrascal.com. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  5. ^ Curtis, Polly (8 March 2009). "Ashcroft's Plans for Online Media Empire". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  6. ^ "About Total Politics". Total Politics. Retrieved 25 July 2008.
  7. ^ Dods Group acquires Biteback Media and Holyrood Communications
  8. ^ Turvill, William (18 December 2014). "Total Politics drops monthly magazine to go online-only". Press Gazette. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Interview with Alastair Campbell". Total Politics. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  10. ^ Total Politics (9 July 2010). "Total Politics 2010 Blog Poll". blogspot.iaindale.com. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  11. ^ Total Politics (9 July 2010). "Total Politics 2010 Blog Poll". blogspot.iaindale.com. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  12. ^ Paul Waugh. "Total Politics 2010 Blog Poll". waugh.standard.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  13. ^ "Top 50 Political Myths". totalpolitics.com. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  14. ^ "Top 10 Political Gifts". Total Politics. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  15. ^ "Top 100 Political Journalists 2009". Total Politics. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  16. ^ "Top 100 Public Affairs Professionals 2009". Total Politics. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Total Politics – The Team". Archived from the original on 1 August 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2008.