British Politics Slow to Gain from Net

A study by the Economic and Social Research Council found that Britons are slow to adopt the Internet as a means for communicating with MPs.  But politicians and advocacy groups on this side of the Atlantic would be wise to listen to the conclusion of the study's leader, Stephen Ward of the Oxford Internet Institute, as quoted on PublicTechnology.net :

Dr Ward said: "Our survey provides a sobering antidote to the hype that often surrounds the role of the Internet in the political world, but we shouldn't write off new technologies as being of no consequence. The findings show there is potential to attract and deepen engagement, particularly among younger people."

He continued: "Simply adding new electronic means of communication to old structures, or providing information online, will not automatically spark interest."