A new all-encompassing website, magazine, blog and resource portfolio called Total Politics has been launched today - "because knowledge is power".

The news reached me via Matt Wardman. It looks well-designed and on-the-ball news and feature wise, with an editorial board from across the spectrum, including Shami Chakrabarti, Paddy Ashdown, Carline Lucas (the Green MEP), David Davis, Denis MacShane and more. Go to: http://www.totalpolitics.com/

The blurb (http://www.totalpolitics.com/about.php) says: "Our overarching goal is to be unremittingly positive about the political process and to bring you the most interesting, informative and insightful features and commentary from across the UK and the world", adding "Politics is not a job, it's a way of life."

Then again, as the Dutch theologian Harry M. Kuitert once observed: "Everything is politics. But politics is not everything."

The power behind this throne appears to be conservative mega-blogger Iain Dale and grandee funder Lord Ashcroft. As a print publication, Total Politics represents a cross-over from a highly successful 'new media' operation. Its core circulation will be a mailing to every elected official in the land - 23,000 in all. Big stuff.

It also has an opening scoop - an exclusive interview with Gordon Brown.

Matt has provided a characteristically thorough review here, by the way: http://tinyurl.com/3wqyht