The Problem with Nadine Dorries

Or, to put it another way since there are any number of problems with Dorries, the problem with her blog.

Dorries has a long, whining post up about her "online stalker". Of course, the concept of a stalker in the world of Dorries is perhaps very different to what you or me might see as a stalker. As far as I can see, Dorries is complaining about a man who is trying to hold an elected politican - one who attempts to change national policies on issues such as abortion that could affect women across this land - to account. That isn't stalking - that's accountability, Nadine, and it is essential to every democracy even if it isn't always convenient for you and those around you.

But the problem Dorries - at least as she presents herself on her blog - is that she arrogantly seems to believe that she is in some way an important person and therefore what she says should be taken at face value. Therefore she does very little other than assert things without offering any evidence. Look at the post I've linked to - she offers nearly no links to back up what she says; it is fact because she says it is fact. Compare that post to this one critical of Dorries. Note that Tim Ireland actually takes the time to research what he is writing about; he offers relevant quotes and links to what he is asserting. The end result is that Ireland's work comes across as far more credible than the feckless, self-absorbed whining of Dorries.

Of course, I could be wrong, and Dorries may yet be right about her "online stalker". But there is no reason to suspect that this will be the case. If you're going to make accusations - as both Ireland and Dorries frequently do - then you need to be able to back those accusations up. That's where Ireland's blog - despite the fact that his politics is very different to mine - works while Dorries does not. And that's just one of the reasons why I feel Dorries is simply not suitable to be in any sort of a position of political power in this country.