Looking down the lense of #TrevCam

Having given Gordon Brown an hour of Piers Morgan’s time, ITV had to redress the balance, so tonight we got #TrevCam, an hour long profile of the Conservative leader, hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald.

I stand by my instant reaction:

My #TrevCam after action: DC is a nice, genuine guy. Sir Trev has just educated Piers Morgan on being a journo. Labourites unhappy.

Twitter lit up during the programme, with #TrevCam trending internationally at one point. I know I’m biased, but the reaction felt more positive than during the Piers Morgan programme, notwithstanding the significant number of negative Labour tweeters.

What I found telling was the difference in approach. Conservatives watched the Piers Morgan programme, and spoke about their impressions. Many Labourites failed to watch the Trevor McDonald programme, but didn’t let that stop them talking about it.

That difference in approach, in attitude, is reflected in the way people approach their politics. Conservatives, by and large, listen to what their opponents have to say, and respond to it. Labourites don’t. I know it’s a crude generalisation. I know there are exceptions. But there’s also a significant and widespread truth in there.

On a lighter note, the night saw watch parties organised nationally. In Liverpool, the city’s party chairman and three of the city’s PPCs joined members of Conservative Future to watch the programme live. It was a nice opportunity for people to socialise, at a time when the pressure of the coming campaign is beginning to build.

Having a watch party for these kind of events is one way people can get involved in a small way with the national campaign. It’s also a great way for activists to get together – without pressure to immediately split up and start knocking on doors!

Here’s the group in the office at Liverpool – photo taken by the Conservative PPC for Wavertree, Andrew Garnett.

With leadership debates scheduled for the first time this election, and lots of local programmes being prepared, I don’t think this’ll be the last watch party before the big one on May 6th!

Or June 3rd.

Or whenever Gordon gets round to it.

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