Andrew Rawnsley, the Observer columnist, has quit as editor-in-chief of the news aggregator site PoliticsHome.

He released a statement (via Next Left):

I have today resigned as Editor-in-Chief of PoliticsHome.co.uk.

Thanks to the dedication and flair of the team, PoliticsHome has been an outstanding editorial success. The site has attracted plaudits from many other media organisations and across the political spectrum.

That praise has been generated by its ground-breaking methods of surveying opinion at Westminster, Whitehall and beyond along with its impartial reporting of all strands of news and commentary.

It has been both professionally and personally satisfying to work with the talented people who have achieved this in the eighteen months since the inauguration of PoliticsHome.

I therefore greatly regret the decision made by Stephan Shakespeare, the chairman, to do a deal which places PoliticsHome under the ownership of Michael Ashcroft, the deputy chairman of the Conservative Party. The site has been folded along with ConservativeHome into a new entity in which Lord Ashcroft is the majority shareholder.

I became Editor-in-Chief on the basis that PoliticsHome was dedicated to being a non-partisan site clearly independent of any party both editorially and financially.

It was essential for users of the site that they could feel absolute confidence in the political independence of PoliticsHome.

I do not believe that can be compatible with being under the ownership of the deputy chairman of the Conservative Party.

Politics Home have also issued a statement saying:

It will form a distinct unit within a new media company, owned jointly by Stephan Shakespeare and Lord Ashcroft, who will take a 57.5% stake in the holding company. ConservativeHome and ConservativeIntelligence will continue to be part of the same group of companies but as before they operate in completely different spheres and there will be no editorial crossover whatsoever.

PoliticsHome takes great pride in its non-partisan coverage, and its complete editorial independence. As before, Stephan Shakespeare retains the casting vote on the board. Freddie Sayers will continue to be Editor of the site, and Nick Assinder will continue on the editorial board. The news team will remain unchanged.

Sunder at Next Left adds:

I am asking PoliticsHome whether the amount invested by Lord Ashcroft will be made public. I am also putting the same question to Tim Montgomerie of ConservativeHome. This seems to me to be one small step in the direction of transparency. I will report back on any response.

Paul Sagar at Bad Conscience adds:

This all shows that the internet is being taken extremely seriously by top Tories, not just marginal geeks like Iain Dale and Paul Staines (who kid themselves that they are of profound political importance, but aren’t).

Ashcroft no doubt smells a profit. But just as importantly he thinks the on-line frontier is an important one for his party to fight on.When blogs cease to become the preserve of nerdy losers, and real power-players like Ashcroft move in, it matters.

The right is attempting to consolidate and extend its grip on the internet political discourse. The significance of such moves should not be missed by the left.

Reader comments

1. Liberal Conspiracy

   Article:: Andrew Rawnsley quits PoliticsHome over Ashcroft http://bit.ly/9aeFh

2. timmontgomerie

   Hat tip to @libcon for understanding the significance of Lord Ashcroft’s investment in ConHome http://bit.ly/9aeFh

3. irene rukerebuka

   JOKE!!! RT @libcon Liberal Conspiracy » Andrew Rawnsley quits PoliticsHome over Ashcroft http://bit.ly/GubzV

   [Original tweet]

4. mike kaye

   RT @libcon Liberal Conspiracy » Andrew Rawnsley quits PoliticsHome over Ashcroft http://bit.ly/GubzV

   [Original tweet]

5. matthew bond

   RT @libcon Andrew Rawnsley quits PoliticsHome over Ashcroft http://bit.ly/9aeFh T+T: AR getting tired of kissing rightwing ass?

   [Original tweet]

6. Paul Sagar

   PoliticsHome buyout:here http://bit.ly/9aeFh and at Bad Conscience

   [Original tweet]

7. Liberal Conspiracy

   Article:: Andrew Rawnsley quits PoliticsHome over Ashcroft http://bit.ly/9aeFh

   [Original tweet]

8. timmontgomerie

   Hat tip to @libcon for understanding the significance of Lord Ashcroft’s investment in ConHome http://bit.ly/9aeFh

   [Original tweet]

9. irene rukerebuka

   JOKE!!! RT @libcon Liberal Conspiracy » Andrew Rawnsley quits PoliticsHome over Ashcroft http://bit.ly/GubzV

   [Original tweet]

10. mike kaye

    RT @libcon Liberal Conspiracy » Andrew Rawnsley quits PoliticsHome over Ashcroft http://bit.ly/GubzV

    [Original tweet]

11. matthew bond

    RT @libcon Andrew Rawnsley quits PoliticsHome over Ashcroft http://bit.ly/9aeFh T+T: AR getting tired of kissing rightwing ass?

    [Original tweet]

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