Ellee Seymour

I followed up one of David Milliband’s recommended links from his blog after noticing that he is an admirer of writer Arianna Huffington’s blog. I met her once when she was Arianna Stassinopoulos, she must have been with her true love Bernard Levin then. They had a truly deep love affair which sadly did not work out.

I was a fresh faced cub reporter on the Wisbech Advertiser and Arianna had already distinguished herself as Presient of the Cambridge Union Society and had been invited to present prizes at Wisbech Grammar School. I had to secure an interview with this bright, rising star, only time ran out and the school’s Chair of Governors, a distinguished solicitor in the town, suggested I ride in the back of his two-seater sports car and chat to her then on their way to the railway station, a 30 minute drive.

How I managed to write shorthand in a squashed up horizontal position across his back window ledge I shall never know - but where there’s a will there’s a way. I do remember her lovely smile and large Greek eyes and lustrous hair; incidentally, I am half-Greek too.

She went on to marry Michael Huffington, a Texan oil millionaire - who she is now divorced from, and many years later I am still writing about her - on my blog.

It’s never been easier to access a Government Minister - or has it? David Milliband, the Minister of Communities and Local Government, went live a couple of days ago and I decided to check out his blog. Having spent last night reading one of the most authoritive books on the subject, Naked Conversation. I now have a good idea what it is all about - and that is to have an open and honest dialogue to restore confidence and trust between a business/organisation after years of spin and misinformation.

His blog states that he only wants to discuss ministerial policy, so we will have to wait and see whether he can speak on issues that concern everybody, such as the Labour donor peerage row which is in the papers every day and causing great mistrust. I can understand that he does not want to attract public heckling, but I hope he has the courtesy to reply - and with honestly. I am concerned about the comment that came up after I submitted my blog, that it had to be vetted and approved to ensure it does not violate his terms and conditions. Is that the true spirit of blogging, I wonder?

I sent details of my blog to a few friends yesterday and they seem to find it interesting. My former boss during last year’s election said he fully agreed that blogging was an increasingly important part of the PR mix and wished me luck - thanks Nick. A couple of others have said they like to prefer to maintain their privacy, so blogging would probably not suit them, though you can invite only those you wish to your blog. An old friend said he found it most illuminating and thought blogging sounded very kinky! That’s my Mark.

Having read the book last night, it clearly states that spelling mistakes and grammatical errors are very acceptable and even make the blog more credible. This is not a press release, just a conversation.