Post in CLG, ICELE and Lichfield

May 30 09:24 UTC

I think perhaps first of all we need to know what the great British
public expect of e-Democracy or even Democracy and attempt to champion
that.

As with everything e-, there is an assumption that it will be used, is
cheaper and better.

Where is the evidence? OK, I can contact my local councillor by email,
it doesn't mean that the answer is any better than if I'd waited to a
response to a voicemail or letter, they'll still be waiting on a
response from a council worker. What it might mean is that I've jumped
the queue on the person without access to email.

As I've stated before there is great potential for improving services,
including the democratic ones but fundamentally it's the process behind
it, and it has to recognise that some will never be able to use it and
that shouldn't reduce their chances of being heard.

Rather than assumptions, I'd like to see more evidence from this country
(cultures and systems vary, along with connectivity). This includes more
'measured' pilots.

I think your final statement could be applied to the entire e-government
agenda over the past 10 years but we didn't, we haven't and I don't
think we ever will - it's not in Whitehall's interest.

Mick

http://greatemancipator.com