Archive for 'MPs'
MPs to lose Communications Allowance
Among the Kelly Report's recommendations for reforming MPs' expenses and allowances is the abolition of the £10,000 annual Communications Allowance. And quite right too. The report states: 8.20 The Committee believes that effective engagement between an MP and his or her constituents is of the utmost importance, particularly in the wake of recent events. The [...] read on »
No awards for MPs' websites this year
Bad news for anyone who's just put a massive amount of work into an innovative, cutting-edge website for an MP. (Ahem.) I've received confirmation from the British Computer Society - oops, sorry, 'BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT' - that their annual awards recognising the best websites by Members of Parliament aren't quite as [...] read on »
Creative Commons: 3 MPs on blogging
A shock conclusion emerges from the Hansard Society's latest research into MPs' use of new-fangled technology: they are normal people. Well, 'kind of normal-ish', Labour's Tom Harris clarifies. We're here at Microsoft's relatively new London offices to hear from three MPs, one from each of the main parties, on what they put in, and what [...] read on »
Reason to be miserable
I can't make my mind up about the media attention drawn by Labour MP, and junior transport minister Tom Harris, for comments on his blog. Or more accurately, by the reproduction of those comments on the front of the Daily Mail. On the one hand, I'm quite pleased that the word 'blog' barely comes into [...] read on »
New report on politics and internet
Provocative stuff from Mick Fealty over at the Telegraph's Brassneck blog. He highlights a report by the Centre for Policy Studies which suggests that 'the internet could offer MPs an unmatched opportunity to create a niche for themselves, and to re-empower local politics.' And echoing the Economist's point about government in competition, he notes: The [...] read on »