Just as television and radio transformed the way politics operated in the twentieth century so in the future will the internet have a profound effect on the language and conduct of politics and policy. This will be a gradual and inexorable phenomenon.
The individual, and not the state, will be the master in the digital age.
* The internet has already had an impact on politics. But in the UK, it is underdeveloped compared to many other countries, in particular the US.
* In particular, British political parties have failed to embrace this new opportunity. The British National Party website has the same market share as all of the other major political parties combined.
* The parties could reverse this by altering their mindset from “send” to “receive”, by learning the lessons of unofficial organisations such as bloggers, activists and campaign groups which have exploited the potential of the internet.
* The internet will bring a far greater openness to politics. The power of search will enforce consistency and depth in both policy and communication of policy. And the tone of debate will, at least in many cases, remain lively, anti-establishment and original.
* For the activist and the citizen, the internet will increasingly be used to hold politicians to account and to enable like minded groups (such as the those opposed to road pricing) to develop potent single-issue campaigns.
* The web could also re-empower MPs, by linking them far more directly to the concerns of their constituents. Most have, so far, failed to grasp this opportunity.
* For policy development, the internet will bring greater scrutiny; and greater access to official government data could revolutionise the way policy-making works.
* Should the vision of leading thinkers on both the Labour and Conservative sides be translated into reality, then the internet should become the key forum for proposing and organising support for new policies.
* The most subtle, but perhaps most powerful, change, will be to the public’s mindset. As we grow used to the instant availability of information online, we will no longer tolerate delay and obfuscation in getting similar information from government. The individual, and not the state, will be the master in the digital age.
