How much does it cost to set up a blog? Nothing, at least I didn’t pay a penny for this. And it’s easy peasy to do, I managed it.

Geoff maintains that anyone who can book EasyJet tickets on the internet can manage a blog. Maybe that was too tough a challenge for David Milliband’s team as he revealed on his ministerial blog that it cost £6,000 to set up.

He said in defence to criticism from outraged bloggers and taxpayers:

“I really don’t see it as a ‘scrounge off the taxpayer’; much of my professional life is ‘Ministerial’, paid for by the taxpayer, and part of that has to be about engaging with people, and this helps me do that.”

I have just posted the same question to Boris Johnson, Shadow Minister for Higher Education, asking him how much his blog cost. Earlier this week I asked how many hits he had and the answer was – 10,000 a day – which is truly staggering.

And his bloggers are given a personal reply to their questions, rather than the blanket statement given byMinister Milliband. So whatever the cost, it is value for money – and genuine engagement.

His assistant Melissa is also gobsmacked by their success. She said:

“At the last count this website got an average of 10,000 hits per day which is astounding for such a homespun outfit. It reflects well on Boris I think and what he represents: openness and free communication. It takes some courage to allow all and sundry to have their say and allow them to throw a few rotten eggs at you.”