Top Ten Blogs | Vuelio

Political Blogs UK Top 10

March 25, 2020/7 Comments/in PR Pulse, Top Ten Blogs, Social Media Index, Public Affairs, Top Lists, Influencers Top Ten Blogs /by Holly Hodges

The Top 10 Political Blog ranking was last updated 25/03/2020.

1. Guido Fawkes

The number one political blog in the UK is Guido Fawkes, originally created in September 2004 by Paul Staines. ‘The primary motivation for the creation of the site was purely to make mischief at the expense of politicians and for the founding author’s own self-gratification,’ goes the origin story from Paul, who found other such blogs at the time ‘too earnest and serious’. Guido’s mix of news, rumour and gossip has since made it a major mover in the world of Westminster, capable of changing the political landscape. Whichever way you’re affiliated politically, it’s a key place to visit if you want to keep up with the latest goings-on in the halls of power.

2. ConservativeHome

In the same spot as last year’s ranking, the ‘home of conservatism’ continues to encourage conversation among its readers while covering everything going on in the party. A lot has changed since Tim Montgomerie launched the site back in 2005 for grassroots Conservative members. ConservativeHome uses its independent stance to cover news in its ToryDiary section, reports on what’s happening across the corridor in its LeftWatch channel, and publishes opinion and feature pieces in the MPs ETC, Local Government, Majority and Think Tank parts of the site. Now edited by Paul Goodman, this blog is one to keep an eye on as the nation watches the ruling party’s reaction to the challenges of 2020.

3. Wings Over Scotland

Rev. Stuart Campbell’s blog focuses on the political landscape in Scotland with a straightforward style and brutal honesty (the most honest, or brutal, perhaps being its ranking for ‘The Thickest Politician In Scotland’). If you’re new to the blog, check out the About Us page for choice quotes on its content from media outlets including STV News, The Herald and the Daily Mail, and even opinions from politicians themselves. What you’ll also find is sharp insight on how the media is covering politics in Scotland as well as original commentary and analysis from its contributors.

4. LabourList

Supporting Labour while remaining independent from it, LabourList launched in 2009 as a forum for discussion of, and news from, the party. It’s News, Comment, Video, Brexit, Unions, Selections, Local and Scotland channels aim to cover everything happening in the party and writers range from grassroots activists to peers and current MPs. Readers are also an important part of the blog, which encourages its visitors to share their takes on the latest political news alongside its contributors. Leading the team is Sienna Rodgers, who brings experience from her work in journalism and activism for the party.

5. PoliticalBetting.com

If something lighter yet informative is what you’re looking for in a political blog, PoliticalBetting is a safe bet. Describing itself as ‘the best online resource for betting on politics’, this platform for political gamblers and forecasters posts analysis, statistics and polls for predicting what might happen next in global politics. Founder Mike Smithson comes from a journalism and politics background and has been combining the two on the blog since its foundation in 2004. With things changing in politics across the world by the day, check out Mike’s predictions for what might happen tomorrow.

6. Slugger O’Toole

Multilingual content is what makes Slugger O’Toole unique – contributions come in English, Irish and Welsh and cover news from the Republic of Ireland, Britain and across the globe. Aiming to bring its audience ‘open source analysis’ from the blogosphere and the mainstream media, the team are ‘constantly on the look out for opportunities to add value to the debate of matters of regional, national and international concern’. Slugger O’Toole started life in 2002 as a place for founder Mike Fealty to share Northern Irish political news – now its focus reaches further and doesn’t shy away from controversial issues, whatever language they come in.

7. Left Foot Forward

Edited by Josiah Mortimer and Joe Lo, this space for progressives on the left of the political sphere aims to provide fresh takes on current affairs. Unaffiliated to any political parties, Left Foot Forward keeps its posts evidence-based to analyse current policy. Topical contributions from its readers as well as campaigners and politicians are welcomed, particularly if they come with new or unreported data people should know about, reports of unbalanced media coverage, or any debate on the British left. There’s certainly lots to talk about – put your Left Foot Forward if you have something to share.

8. Craig Murray

Craig Murray has had a busy career and brings a wealth of experience to his eponymous blog. The campaigner, broadcaster and author was British Ambassador to Uzbekistan from August 2002 to October 2004 and Rector of the University of Dundee from 2007 to 2010 and regularly speaks at events on a variety of topics. This blog has a popular comments section with posts attracting healthy debate among its many politically engaged readers. If you can’t get to a family meal to argue politics at the moment but have thoughts to share, this is an ideal place to visit and interact.

9. Bella Caledonia

Unaligned to any party, Bella Caledonia was created in 2007 by Mike Small and Kevin Williamson. Focusing on Scottish independence and aiming to provide conclusions uninfluenced by the mainstream media, the blog welcomes viewpoints from readers, campaigners and people working in the creative industries. Bella Caledonia aims to create a movement that is ‘vigorous and insatiably curious’ and sections including Arts & Culture, Opinion, Media, International and Economics reflect each way politics influences all aspects of our daily lives.

10. Iain Dale

This blog from award-winning radio presenter Iain Dale often features posts inspired by discussions from his work on LBC’s Evening Show – recent posts focus on strains on the NHS, surviving self-isolation and how to help struggling businesses. A respected political commentator, Iain regularly writes for publications including The Daily Telegraph and the Evening Standard, was a contributing editor for GQ magazine, a columnist for Attitude, founded Total Politics magazine and was one of the team behind Politico’s Bookstore. Here you can find regular updates and his take on current events on the website as well as news on his books and upcoming talks.

The fundamentals of working with bloggers are the same as with traditional journalists at traditional media outlets: respect their schedules; take time to read their material to learn their interests; and only contact them if/when they want to be contacted.

Vuelio’s blog ranking methodology takes into consideration social sharing, topic-related content and post frequency. Profiles of these Political blogs and their authors can be found in the Vuelio Media Database.

Mummy Blogs UK Top 10

March 18, 2020/17 Comments/in PR Pulse, Top Ten Blogs, Social Media Index Top Ten Blogs /by Holly Hodges

Last Updated 18/03/2020.

1. Slummy Single Mummy

Still at the top of our mummy blogger ranking is Slummy Single Mummy Jo Middleton, who has been sharing the highs and lows (but mostly highs) of being a single parent since this blog’s birth back in 2009. Jo’s adventure started with parenthood, as mum to Bee and Belle, and her current chapter includes being a grandmother. ‘As my kids have got older I’ve broadened my content and I particularly enjoy creating recipes and writing about food and travel’. Have your own tales you’d like to share with Jo and her readership? Don’t leave it untold – get in touch to take part in her Untold Stories section.

2. Honest Mum

Blogger, vlogger, author and former filmmaker and TV director Vicki is the honest mum behind this blog, which covers family, food, style, travel and life. Still often popping up on TV for BBC News and ITV as a presenter and parenting expert, Vicki has spoken on perinatal mental health in the House of Commons, maternal rights as well as flexible working. No lie, Vicky knows her stuff about nailing that work/life balance as a parent, and you can read more of her advice for doing the same in her book Mumboss – A guide to surviving and thriving at work and at home.

3. Mum In The Madhouse

The crafty blogging mum in this madhouse is Jen Walshaw, who believes creativity is important when raising children rather than leaving them to sit in front of an iPad. Jen advocates for a variety of ways to get kids away from staring at screens big and small, in sections devoted to seasonal fun, things to do in the kitchen, arts and crafts, outside activities, and general parenting features and advice. Sounds smart and sane to us, so why is Jen’s blog and home called ‘The Mad House’? ‘My home is never quiet,’ says Jen ‘which is why my mum named it The Mad House all those years ago. It stuck.’ If you’re looking to unplug with your family, this is a blog worth sticking with.

4. Mudpie Fridays

Get advice for keeping kids busy all week round with Clare Minall’s Mudpie Fridays. Career woman Clare originally launched the blog to chronicle life with her sons Monkey and Kipper as she balanced motherhood with work. This means realistic tips for other working parents looking for practical family days that don’t need too much planning – quick trips, playing in the mud (hence the title), park visits and hunting for statues in public gardens. For parents that need quick ideas there’s a weekly newsletter and mums can find time for themselves in the ‘Mum Life’ section (quicker than running a bath and lighting some candles).

5. Rainy Day Mum

Whatever the weather, Rainy Day Mum Cerys Parker will be able to find something for families to do to stay busy and have fun. Though, in the UK, we certainly have a lot of rainy days to contend with, so Cerys’ insider tips for staying inside are vital for parents with rambunctious children who need something fun to focus on. Self-improvement though creating and learning is the aim here, as well as daily goals – there are crafts for toddlers, activities for babies, and even free printables for the artistically-inclined and crayon-equipped. There’s lots to keep families occupied – as Cerys says herself, parenting doesn’t have to stop for rain.

6. What the Redhead said

The redhead writing about the ‘ups and downs of family life’ on What the Redhead said is Donna – a fulltime blogger living just outside of London in Camberley with her husband Dave and children Athena and Troy. For Donna, ‘the future’s bright, the future’s ginger’, and if you regularly read her blog, your future will most likely be filled with quality days with the fam, hearty recipes to conquer and happy kids. For the more serious stuff, Donna is an advocate for home births, co-sleeping, baby led weaning and as well as breastfeeding and comes from a background in retail finance, so you can find practical thoughts from the Redhead of What the Redhead said as well.

7. BritMums

The bloggers behind BritMums are co-founders Jen and Susannah, who started the network back in 2008 way before influencers were born. This blog has grown since then to take the best from the realm of blogging and influence and boasts to have a ‘site full of the best content from the community. Check it out and join the conversation!’ The Magazine section has content covering News & Views, Family & Relationships, Travel, Food & Recipes, Style and Health & Beauty. But if blogging is also your passion, the Blogs & Social channel will have what you need – there’s advice on social media, getting started with blogging and vlogging and (always a nice thing) making money.

8. Boo Roo and Tigger Too

Boo – AKA Sarah Anguish – blogs about her family, which includes chatterbox and dancer Roo, fussy eater Tigger and wild child Piglet. Here on their digital home, you’ll find lifestyle features on home decorating, travel, product reviews, days out with the family and advice for fellow parents on baby and toddlers, car seats, push chairs and even teenagers, which unfortunately don’t tend to arrive with a manual. Boo is also branching out into the world of Blogger Outreach, so get in touch if you’d like to learn from one of the best (and one of the top ten in the UK when it comes to mummy blogging).

9. Toby & Roo

Here we have another Roo making it in the world of mummy blogging – Reuben, brother of Tobias and Edith, who are the children of blogger Harriet Shearsmith. This blogger describes herself as ‘a serial mum bun wearer, total over sharer in desperate need of a nap. I witter a lot about feminism, equality, letting children be children and I have a rather colourful mouth… again, some would say foul but what do they know?’ and writes from her home in the Northern English countryside. Having worked for an international children’s merchandise retailer, Harriet knows what’s good when it comes to children’s products and provides a trustworthy (and colourful) take on what’s currently available for the family.

10. In The Playroom

London-based blogger Anna started In The Playroom to share ideas about playing, learning and living life with young children and does so in the sections Play, Craft, Baby, Food, Travel, Printables and Toy Reviews. Anna recommends sensory play, process-based activities and traditional crafts but doesn’t just post herself – as the blog has grown, so has the team. Regular contributors now add to the Playroom’s resources with ideas for toddlers and pre-schoolers. In fact, this blogger loves interacting with fellow bloggers, writers and her readership, so head on over to In The Playroom’s Facebook wall to join the family.

MORE TOP 10 BLOGS

Discover more Top 10 rankings: including parenting, daddy, London lifestyle and family travel.

Or explore the full list of Vuelio Top 10 Blogs here.

Vuelio’s blog ranking methodology takes into consideration social sharing, topic-related content and post frequency. Profiles of these Mummy blogs and their authors can be found in the Vuelio Media Database.

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Top 10 Irish Blogs

March 11, 2020/0 Comments/in PR Pulse, Top Ten Blogs, Social Media Index, Top Lists, Influencers Top Ten Blogs /by Holly Hodges

Last Updated 11/03/2020.

1. Arseblog

At number one for another year is Andrew Mangan’s Arsenal FC-focused (what else did you think it would be focusing on?) blog. If you’re a Gunners fan, you’ll find live blogs of Arsenal matches, detailed commentary as well as news and predictions for upcoming games. Want more from your football favourites? Listen in to the Arsecast podcast, or become a member of the blog for merchandise discounts, the scuttlebutt on events and ticket releases as well as exclusive content.

2. Phil Mac Giolla Bháin

Launched back in 2008 by author/journo/playwright Phil Mac Giolla Bháin, his eponymous blog originally covered Scottish football. He has since used the blog to break many stories, some beyond his original focus, and has campaigned for social justice for more than 35 years as both a journalist and writer. He also doesn’t shy away from controversial or heavy subjects in blog posts today, recently having written about the potential impact COVID-19 could have on Scottish football.

3. Pippa

Here you’ll find the latest fashion, beauty and travel tips from former model Pippa O’Connor Ormond, who’s also the founder of her own denim fashion line and scented candle collection. Pippa’s style is all over the blog, in its fashion and beauty picks just in time for payday, Spring wedding guest dresses you’ll actually wear again and new finds picked out for readers. If you’re on a budget, deals in the high street also feature on the blog as well as ideas for making good use of your full wardrobe (biker boots with dresses? Why not).

4. Nialler9

If music is your thing, journalist and DJ Niall Byrne’s blog Nialler9 is for you. Bigging up Irish music being made across the world since its launch in November 2005, this Dublin-based blog has festival news, gig guides in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and beyond, details of new music releases and playlists to download on the go. Niall knows his music, having held curated events as well as DJing regularly at monthly club night Lumo. If you can’t make it out to the club, get your fix of Irish music online, easy.

5. Dolly Dowsie

Dolly Dowsie has grown from its start in 2013 as a digital scrapbook for Fiona Naughton’s family and now focuses on all aspects of parenting, including kid-friendly holidays, cooking with your children and even moving house. You’ll also find lifestyle, interiors, beauty, health and baking features as well as recipes to try with the family. Fiona loves photography, DIY projects, cooking, flowers and shabby chic, making this a stylish online destination as well as a practical one.

6. Journalist On The Run

This blog from qualified journalist and intrepid traveller Janet Newenham was created to capture all of her ‘travels and adventures, my career growth and career failure, and keeping track of all the goals I have achieved and the many more which have yet to be accomplished’. Originally inspired after reading the short story Another Check Mark On the List from Chicken Soup for the Soul, Janet’s ‘bucket list for life’ has allowed her to chronicle ticking off her own goals, ‘learning loads, smiling loads, making loads more amazing friends. I see life as one big adventure, so come join me and let’s have some fun!’

7. Rosanna Davison

Qualified nutritional therapist – and 2003 Miss World beauty competition winner – Rosanna Davison is passionate about bringing her evidence-based approach to food, health and wellness to the public. Each recipe and health tip shared with her blog readership is trialled and tested by Rosanna and is designed to help reach the highest of health and beauty potentials. If that’s something you’re hungry for, grab up her suggestions for breakfasts, salads, main meals, smoothies, spreads, snacks, dips, dressings and even desserts.

8. SoSueMe

Created in 2010 by Suzanne Jackson, SoSueMe shares fashion, beauty, travel and lifestyle content with its huge readership. Suzanne’s influence has previously been compared to Kate Middleton by The Sunday Independent and she is considered as a top Irish influencer when it comes to fashion and beauty. Hardly surprising for the founder and CEO of popular beauty brand SOSUbySJ. If you’re inspired by Suzanne’s style, you can even emulate it by checking out the What I Wore section and picking up the products and threads she recommends.

9. Cuddle Fairy

‘There’s positivity around every corner’ is the MO of this blog from creator and writer Becky O’Haire. Hailing from New York, Becky is now based in County Mayo with her family and ‘loves writing about everything’, so you’ll find a mix of upbeat topics. This blogger’s journey into positive thinking started after a 24 hour ‘no complaints’ challenge – if you’re thinking of taking part yourself, surrounding yourself with happier fare you can find on Cuddle Fairy is a good start.

10. Sociable

Aiming to pick apart how technology transforms society, this news blog delves into governments, business, and citizens to analyse the ethical, social and philosophical implications of tech. Founded in September 2010 by Darren McCarra and Piers Scott, Sociable is now one of the most popular technology blogs in Ireland. With a team of writers now headed up by editor Tim Hinchliffe, posts focus on social, web, mobile and science as well as columns on cryptocurrencies. There is also advice on how to use tech, with tips on using audience marketing in digital campaigns and embracing tech in social connectivity, so it’s worth making a connection with Sociable.

Vuelio’s blog ranking methodology takes into consideration social sharing, topic-related content and post frequency. Profiles of these Irish blogs and their authors can be found in the Vuelio Media Database.

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