Iain Dale is asking, on his blog, for readers to vote for the top political journalists. Been meaning to say for a while whom I regard as the best and most influential commentators, journalists and bloggers. Here’s my Top 10 from the online, print, TV and radio worlds.

1. Fraser Nelson [The Spectator & News of the World]
2. Iain Martin [Wall Street Journal Europe]
3. Eddie Mair [BBC's PM radio programme]
4. Tim Montgomerie [Conservative Home]
5. Daniel Finkelstein [The Times]
6. Matthew D’Ancona [The Daily Telegraph]
7. Andrew Neil [BBC's Daily Politics & This Week]
8. Paul Staines [Guido Fawkes]
9. Iain Dale [Iain Dale's Diary]
10. Jon Craig [Sky News]

My reasons for choosing the top three are: 1st - Fraser Nelson because of his intellectual courage, standing firm on his opinions no matter how heavyweight the opposition. 2nd – Iain Martin because, darn it, he’s pretty much always spot on with the take on the news that most closely matches my views. 3rd – Eddie Mair because he’s the most skilful interviewer on TV or Radio in my opinion, his ability to skewer politicians with flawed arguments is matchless.

Gosh, that was tough. No room for Paul Waugh, Matthew Parris, Nick Robinson, Adam Boulton, Michael Crick, Peter Oborne, Polly Toynbee, and a host of others. I guess you’ll note that they’re mostly right-wing, for which no apologies.