Governing by Spin, Blag, & Blog
2) Transparent Government
Penrose asserted that internet research tools help the electorate “keep tabs” on their elected officials. This leads to a new level of accountability never experienced before. He said: “One of the things that is happening though, is that all these different ways of interacting with your elected representatives has introduced a vast amount more transparency. You’ve only got to visit www.theyworkforyou.com and you can check up on the activity and work rate of any MP.”
This coincides with comments of John Boyd, editor of The Democrat, which encourage citizens to be proactive and very aware of anything that impedes their democratic rights – including EC directives that might supersede British laws or interests.
Penrose and Webb, as other MPs, seek input from their constituents before they take a particular course of action. Webb said: “I ask them to cast a vote, so they send an email either to yes@stevewebb.org.uk or no@stevewebb.org.uk. They are invited to give me a reason… my constituents have a lot of specialist knowledge; so, I don’t just ask them to give me a ‘Yes’ or ‘No,’ I ask them to tell me why. The second thing I do is tell them the result and I tell them the arguments used; and the third thing I do – which closes the loop – is what I’m going to do about it.”
Boyd, Penrose and Webb feel that one of the failings of politicians and government bodies when they consult, is failing to show the public that the consultation actually changed anything…consulting with voters before one has made a decision, is democratic; whereas, consulting afterward one makes a policy decision is – as Webb puts it – “just spin.”
KEEP ME INFORMED |