Does our Communities Minister really understand communities?
This is an historic week.
There’s no doubt that Barack Obama’s election as President of the US marks a turning point in American, if not, global politics. His victory is testament to the ‘American Dream’ (Barack’s own words) as well as to the nature of democracy in the US. It has it’s critics, but the American democratic process rather puts our own to shame. Its not helped either by comments such as those of our very own Communities Minister, Hazel Blears. In a speech to the Hansard Society yesterday, Blears blasted political blogs in the UK as written by those with “disdain for the political system and politicians, who see their functions as unearthing scandals, conspiracies and perceived hypocrisy.” Strong stuff.
But what exactly is Ms Blears afraid of? And does she really understand online communities? Political blogs are today’s ‘editorials’. They are a symbol of freedom of speech and expression. Technology today allows social media and online communities to flourish by expressing and sharing opinions and experiences. In her speech, Blears warns of “a dangerous erosion in our political culture” and blames “a shrinking and increasingly competitive newspaper market.” I think the truth may actually lie in the fact that Ms Blears and her colleagues cannot necessarily control (or perhaps handle would be fairer) political opinion and expression on the internet in the way they may attempt to do so in traditional media such as newspapers or on television. Blears seeks to address flaws in our political culture. However, our democracy is greatly enriched by the internet and its ability to galvanise and organise political views and opinion. Commercial brands are already embracing social media, changing the very nature of their relationship with consumers. It means a little less control for a brand but a better consumer experience overall. Government should not be afraid to follow suit. It may find a better level of engagement with the very people it wishes to influence: voters. It might help improve public services as well.
You can listen to the Minister debate this issue with one of the leading political bloggers, Iain Dale, here (about 49 minutes into the programme).
