Will the Internet Change Politics?
I enjoyed the editor of The Spectator Matthew d’Ancona’s talk on the Westminster Hour last night about how the internet will change politics. Matthew thinks it will change politics fundamentally, but I disagree. The first example Matthew cited was the saving of a local market from developers. Apparently it was all down to the web, until the interviewee revealed it was old-fashioned petitioning. And our own (ie Wantage) John Betjeman saved Covent Garden (thank God) before the web was invented.
The web is a new medium, but it won’t change politics. If anything it will make politics more distant. If politicians are going to be secretly filmed and shoved on You Tube, you will simply get more stage-managed events. The internet hasn’t changed my life politically, except I get a few more letters because it is easier to send an e-mail than lick a stamp. We have been doing democracy along roughly the same lines (give or take the size of the electorate) since the ancient Greeks, and will continue to do so for centuries to come.
canvas said on November 26th, 2007 at 9:29 pm:
How important is the internet to politicians? Can it make or break an election campaign?
I happen to think the internet and blogs have changed the face of politics forever.
Labour don’t seem to have grasped this concept. Their censorship of Labour websites/blogs tends to say more about ‘the Labour Party’ than they realise. They want to control the internet? No chance.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/6983124.stm
“Generally politicians are good communicators, but only a select few have found themselves ideally suited to the dominant media of their age”
Votedave said on November 26th, 2007 at 9:47 pm:
I think the internet has changed politics beyond recognition. Who’d have been able to blog like this 20 years ago?
Sue said on November 26th, 2007 at 10:07 pm:
I agree with canvas and dave - the internet, IMHO, has definitely changed politics because it brings the politicians closer to us.
For example, Ed, when you came canvassing down my road the day before the local elections earlier this year, I would not have recognised you if it wasn’t for the net. I felt like you were a mate, because I’d been posting on here, felt free to say what I wanted (within reason - ok, I’ll shut up about “local” and “blogs”!!). It was really quite funny tho, because I’d never met you, and yet I greeted you like an old friend.
I remember years and years ago seeing MP Paul Channon standing outside Chalkwell Station (in his Southend constituency) on the day of a general election. I recognised him from the news (sad headlines about his daughter and drugs), but was too intimidated to speak to him. Poor guy looked so lonely, I guess everyone else was too intimidated as well - though he went on to keep his seat of course.
Years later, my kids, aged 11 and 12, treat you like a film star. They hear me talking about you and your blog, you’re very much a part of their lives in a way that Paul Channon never was in my teenage years in Essex.
I know this probably isn’t the kind of comment you were expecting - but you’ll not get anything too profound from me, I’m still very much a learner when it comes to politics, and I don’t feel confident talking about it other than to share my own personal view on things. And that’s another way that the internet changes politics - it gives a voice to people who would otherwise stay quiet.
canvas said on November 26th, 2007 at 10:11 pm:
I live in Saffron Walden, Sue, but I still work in London. Do you know Saffron Walden?
Sue said on November 26th, 2007 at 10:15 pm:
No, sorry canvas. What part of London do you work in? I used to work in the City - the Stock Exchange to be exact - loved it, hated the commuting though!
canvas said on November 26th, 2007 at 10:21 pm:
Shoreditch. More chit chat on Webcameron Rejects site later on
Saffron Walden is in NorthWest Essex. That’s why I asked you.
Do you think Ed realises his blog has the potential to go ballistic soon - with all our networking skills?! Ed will soon change his mind about the power of the internet! hehehe
Sue said on November 26th, 2007 at 10:37 pm:
Let’s just hope we don’t end up with a VaizeyRejects site!!!
canvas said on November 26th, 2007 at 11:23 pm:
Here are David Camerons views on politics and the internet:
http://www.webcameron.org.uk/page.php?id=4&forum_showtopic=1611
Cameron: “It’s great of course if a lot of young people get involved on here, but I don’t really see Webcameron as just a “youth” thing. People of all ages want to be given a greater say on the things that affect them, and that includes having as many ways as possible to put their opinions directly to elected representatives.
It’s also really encouraging seeing posts from people saying that discussing issues on Webcameron has helped them to see things from a different perspective – and to develop their own opinions in the process.
The internet offers real opportunity for politicians and members of the public to communicate more effectively. To be honest we’re probably just scratching at the surface of what can really be achieved.”
Tizzy said on November 27th, 2007 at 12:21 am:
Catching up, here. Ed, seriously, you are wrong on this. You were 11 when the web, as you quaintly put it, came into being. Hardly new, and other computer networks were around well before you were born.
You should be embracing this phenomenon if only to counterbalance the power of the biased press and other media.
Do what your boss did, visit the US, see Google at work, and also MIT, Boston. It’ll open your eyes, not only on what techies are up to, but also their attitude towards the work-life balance. They can come and go as and when they please; turn up for work, don’t turn up for work - it’s up to them. Guess what - they generally put in MORE hours because the ‘work’ element has been removed.
Praguetory said on November 27th, 2007 at 1:34 am:
Yesterday I went for a beer with a councillor and MP who both use blogs AND the internet (such as local message boards) extensively. They found that effective use of the internet helps resolve issues far more quickly and satisfactorily than the conventional methods.
I wander what you might have said as they rattled off examples to support their thesis. I’m a bit surprised that you don’t share their views.
jonjii said on November 27th, 2007 at 9:32 am:
The effect will or should be profound. It makes partcipation by interested parties (such as the contributors here) far more immediate.
There are some aspects though…
Interaction by internet IS HUGELY time consuming…. everyone wants there say and one often has to wade through massive amounts of verbiage.
It is immediate… Eat your ear wax in public and the whole world will know in seconds..
It is also proactive.. If you ED Vaizey decide to be laid back it may well pass you by…. whereas someone pro-active and forthcoming will be making huge waves elsewhere.
Votedave said on November 27th, 2007 at 7:56 pm:
Praguetory - I’ve seen you in another place somewhere…
canvas said on December 21st, 2007 at 10:38 am:
“Will the internet change politics?”
Yes, but it looks like Conservative politicians just don’t get it.
Where did Ed go?? Why did David Cameron ditch his Webcameron forum?? It’s just not good enough.