Essential new book - but too late for the election?

My friends, I'm looking forward to reading this new book from the co-founder and Chief Executive of The Young Britons’ Foundation, Donal Blaney. Here's the description of 'Politics: The Rules of the Game' from Amazon:

'Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it'. So said Winston Churchill. The same might also be said of politics. "The Rules of the Game" takes a wry look at 65 'laws' by which any smart political observer ought to regulate their conduct if they plan to get ahead and stay there. Such laws as 'Don't Get Mad - Except On Purpose', 'You Can't Beat A Plan With No Plan' and 'Moral Outrage Is The Most Powerful Motivating Force In Politics' whilst previously unwritten, are essential to the progress of any political operator. As obsessed with political history as so many politicians, journalists or students might be, it is remarkable how many times the same problems arise, the same issues are debated and the same (sometimes career-ending) mistakes are made. Written in a wry, amusing and non-partisan style and with up to date references to recent political events including Smeargate, US healthcare reform and the debate on climate change, "The Rules of the Game" is an indispensable guide to politics - wherever you live and at whatever level the game is played.

There are two problems I've identified with it, however.

First, surely a book about political campaigning ought to have had a publication date earlier than this one, coming as it does so close to the General Election in the UK when everyone will be in campaign mode already. Secondly, was it really wise to publish on April Fools' Day?

Anyway, I'm sure it will prove to be a pithy and indispensable guide for future campaigns and meanwhile those who want their daily dose of Blaney wit and wisdom should bookmark his entertaining blog offering provocative and opinionated commentary on politics, current affairs, football and culture, Blaney's Blarney.

So who appointed Tim Ireland as judge, jury and executioner?

My friends, I was reading this post at Bloggerheads.com and a thought struck me.

My good friend Tim Ireland seems to have appointed himself as 'Moral Arbiter in Chief for Bloggers', a trait he has displayed on previous occasions when telling off naughty bloggers for failing to live up to a set of strict blogging rules which appear to exist nowhere other than in his head. Of course this does make it rather tricky for people to abide by these laws but never mind, Tim is always there to keep us on the straight and narrow.

Funnily enough the majority of his ire seems to be directed at right of centre bloggers (the likes of Guido, Iain Dale, Dizzy, Donal Blaney and Shane Greer being regular targets), but I'm sure that's just a coincidence.

Perhaps Tim might indulge us all and give us a brain dump of his wisdom on the subject, maybe in the form of 'Tim's 10 Golden Rules of Blogging'. How about it?