Total Politics

Total Politics was a British political magazine described as "a lifestyle magazine for the political community".^[2] It was first published in June 2008, and was distributed freely to all MPs, MEPs, peers, political journalists, members of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland assemblies, and all senior councillors down to district level as well as being available by subscription and sold on newsstands.^[2][3]

The magazine was created by the journalist Iain Dale and the political commentator and author Shane Greer.^[4] The two men launched Total Politics with some financial backing from the then Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party, Lord Ashcroft, who in return owned a 25% stake in the parent company Biteback Media.^[5] The magazine claimed to have a fundamental goal of being "unremittingly positive about the political process".^[6]. The launch editor was Sarah Mackinlay, daughter of the then Labour MP Andrew Mackinlay.

In 2012, Biteback Media was acquired by Dods.^[7] The magazine announced in 2014 that it was ending print publication.^[8]

Each issue of Total Politics carried a set-piece ‘In Conversation’ interview with a senior figure from British politics. The interviews were presented in a question and answer format, with no interpretation or analysis.^{[9] [excessive detail?]}

Total Politics published the Guide to Political Blogging in the UK, a book listing every political blog in the UK, lists of the best blogs in each blogging category (called Top Lists) and analysis of the British political blogosphere written by experts in political blogging.^[10]

The winners in each category were determined by public vote through an email poll.^[11] As well as being recognised in the Guide, winners were also provided with digital awards badges to put on their blogs.^[12]

A somewhat playful feature of Total Politics was the publication of rankings for all things politics. This included one-off rankings such as the ‘Top 50 Political Myths’,^[13] the ‘Top 10 Political Gifts’^[14] and annual rankings such as the ‘Top 100 Political Journalists’^[15] and the ‘Top 100 Public Affairs Professionals’.^[16]

• Lord Ashdown^[17]
• Brian Brivati^[17]
• Shami Chakrabarti^[17]
• David Davis^[17]
• Chris Huhne^[17]
• Andrew MacKinlay
• Denis MacShane^[17]
• Angus MacNeil^[17]
• Sir Simon Milton^[17]
• Lord Trimble^[17]