The All-Party Parliamentary Group for e-Democracy is gathering information after their first public session (27 Jan 2004), on MPs and blogging. It was like being at a club: most seemed to know each other well. Talking: MPs Watson, Allan and Soley; Crabtree; Benn. It has been described comprehensively and entertainingly elsewhere. The main thrusts seemed to be:
- MPs think communicating with real people is important
- real people like MPs blogging because it feels honest and open, and it re-engages them somewhat. (Not mentioned: it also make people realise that MPs are human, and have interesting and real characters, something that spin-controlled soundbite TV tends to dilute)
- that MPs like to get feedback and learn good things when they do
- the media are evil, and blogging can help cut across that
- most MPs don't blog because they don't get it, are too busy, or are concerned that they'll reach an audience that isn't their constituency
Just launched a new site for Shaun Woodward MP www.shaunwoodward.com and certainly he is driven by wanting to talk to his constituents rather than just tell them things. The big dilemma for all of us who like this medium is getting to the right audience rather than just the usual cloud of uk blogging politicos.
Posted by: Jonathan Briggs | April 03, 2004 at 11:13 AM