A new politics, inspired by the internet revolution

Comment by Nirvana on May 27, 2009 at 5:46 pm

Shame longer wasn’t given to questions…..

Comment by Nirvana on May 27, 2009 at 5:55 pm

On embracing technology…

May I suggest that people are able to leave comments more widely across this site?

I was interested to read that David Cameron has reopened applications for candidacy, but the article fails to mention the process, or closing date, and the only contact method is via snail mail…

Comment by Willison on May 27, 2009 at 6:30 pm

I agree with much of Mr Cameron’s proposals but I am not confident on his implementing them once in power with a large majority – which is likely next year. Equally, I don’t believe Labour or LibDems would either if they had a majority. Thinking also of the short Commons time left before May 2010, the moribund state of the Government, the use of the summer recess and autumn Party Conventions for constituency and member consultation, I would like to see during the remaining period of this parliament:
a. No more government legislation beyond thorough scrutiny of EU proposed legislation as received from Brussels and non-controversially acceptable to be passed;
b. All-Party committees set up, with representation proportional to votes cast at last General Election and chairmen voted by committee themselves, to come up with proposals covering all aspects of reform. Subjects to include (but not limited to): electoral reform, executive/parliament relationship, committee structure and powers, central/local government distribution of powers and responsibility, central/local government funding issues, EU/Westminster balance of power, power and funding of the Parties, Commons/Lords powers and composition.
c. Parliament to debate and vote on the committee proposals; any amendments to be given a second reading, first in committee and then with free vote in Parliament. Majority to be accepted and incorporated into a written constitution, to be reviewed at 4 yearly intervals.
Consensus views on greater delegation of powers to local level sound good but need major redistribution of funding and civil service support if it is to work. Also, Local Government Act 2000 should be rescinded as it has transported most of the problems we criticise in Westminster to the local authorities: ie excessive Party control, excessive power of the executive cabinet, impotent committees, excessive delegation of powers to civil servant officials. The previous system was much more democratic and worked well enough.
Another reform that should be considered (not necessarily in an all-Party group) is the role and power of the Treasury. They have for decades meddled destructively in the minutia of Departmental expenditure. Departmental Ministers and Accounting Officers should exercise full control of their own allocated budgets, and thereby take full responsibility to Parliament for them. The Treasury should concentrate their efforts (hopefully with better than the usual outcomes) with forecasting and budget planning, policy for raising public monies, coordinating proposals to Cabinet for distribution of budget to Departments, and regulation of the finance industry as required to safeguard national interest.

Comment by UncleRobert on May 27, 2009 at 11:19 pm

I think this is a major turning point in British politics. The last few decades have seen as great a change to technology as the coming of the railways. The machine of government needs to be redesigned to work in this strange new world.

It is time for the people who work with this technology to offer their services. David’s call for new blood could hardly have come at a more opportune moment.

I’m an engineer, and my application went in yesterday.

Let’s see a “New Blue Crew” taking us into the future.

Comment by Karin on May 28, 2009 at 2:43 am

I believe the best way to campaign is via the Internet. How many times have campaigners been able to get inside a prospective voter’s house? Providing time allowed.

The Internet allows access into peoples’ living rooms via their screens. You can persuade and debate to your hearts content. One of the strongest long term internet tools you have, is The Wall on Facebook. 14.000+ ‘supporters’ are watching. Many, who possibly have never really spoken with the Conservatives, are now engaging freely in debate. Questions are being asked and answered and the opposition is being put down. Wavering voters can be persuaded on the Wall because an internet relationship is acceptable to millions and deemed as non intrusive. The Wall is capable of preparing many voters, in our favour, for when our campaigners arrive at the door.

The Internet is the way to go and I would like to see many more of the Shadow Cabinet go live, as DC did. Also, I feel the live session needed to be a little longer.

Can someone let Members know, how long will the candidates list remain open?

Thank you, Karin.

Comment by Carolyn on May 28, 2009 at 7:35 pm

I was impressed by the first 14 minutes but had to stop listening when the inevitable happened – a proposal to give more power and conrol to local Councils. Has Mr Cameron ever sat in on a planning committee (in disguise of course)? No? well I suggest that he does. Has Mr Cameron ever had recourse to complain to a local Council? I suggest he speak to some people who have had serious complaints of maladministration….and he would find that local Councils are if anything worse than MPs. Officers have ruled over Councils for years and because they have the power and there is no effective ombudsman, they have become arrogant dictators who judge complaints in their own favour. Members are terrified of being referred to the Standards Committee and losing their cushy expensed roles; members collude with officers against powerless citizens. It costs up to c£100k for the average Judicial Review of a public body’s decision so none but the richest can challenge in an independent Court. I have been the victim of two major injustices from my local Council, in total costing me tens of thousands of pounds and making my life a real misery. The members (my “elected representatives” !!) know all about it but most are content to see me lose out on justice rather than get off their behinds and stand up for what’s right. The thought of having these morally bankrupt, over-powerful bodies given even more power to wield in ways that meet their agendas (not ours) is abhorrent – and will just lead to the same old outcomes. We need to get people who are fundamentally decent, princpled and have unassailable integrity to help our communities and our country turn its fate around . We need to persuade people who would never have stood because they could not bear to collude with the rotten system and follow a party line. Devolve power to the current local Government lot and it will bite you on the ass – propose radical change and constant checks and balances against the abuse of power and the electorate may, just may let you have a go at implementing it.

Comment by Smokeless Coal on June 3, 2009 at 1:04 pm

The internet has become a powerful tool in the last decade snd government need to be seen as more accesible to all. The “Ask Cameron” was, in its original format, a good platform for all to express views which could be debated.
Its gone now and nothing of its ilk has replaced it.
The number 10 petitions site is a fraud, if a point does not go Labours way it is open to massaging the input to give a false result.

Bring back Ask Cameron.