Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

FOCUS GROUP

Have you noticed the remarkable interactivity of today’s media? You can hardly listen to the radio without the presenter reading out some of the incessant stream of e-mails and text messages pouring in. I have yet to press the red button on my TV control during major sporting matches on Sky, but I know that if I do all kinds of wondrous things will happen.

I have appreciated the responses I get from this column when opinions are sought on a range of issues, bringing much insight and knowledge to my door.

And when you think about it, why should the collective judgements of the 657 of us who are elected to make laws in this country be superior to anybody else’s? There are many qualities that may catapult a person into Westminster, but wisdom is not necessarily one of them!

MP’s are not delegates, mandated to vote in a certain way, but representatives, elected to exercise their own judgement. But there is clearly great advantage in receiving the opinions of others before making a final decision. By way of an experiment I propose to go more inter-active and set up an e-focus group! The plan will be to e-mail out on a weekly or fortnightly basis, probably starting in September, seeking the views of the group on whatever the topic might be. There are some big issues coming up ranging from identity cards to “living wills” and so on. Obviously there would be no obligation to reply.

If you would like to be part of this e-focus group could you please e-mail me on mail@garystreeter.co.uk within the next seven days and we will take it from there.

Naturally, I will continue to invite views by post as well.
It may well be that major transformation in British politics is just around the corner. Support for the existing political system is at a very low ebb. Where that mood will lead us I am not sure, but I can sense the winds of change gathering strength.

Society has developed so fast in recent years, for better or worse, much of it driven by ever more amazing technology. This cannot be un-invented – so there is no turning back. It is bound to impact the way we run our democracy.
This is my small experiment to be better connected. And if you would like to be part of it – you know what to do.
Have a great summer.

posted by Nigel on Monday, August 16, 2004