Firstly, re. Blears. It is important to make a distinction between the Labour Party as Government and the Labour Party as political organisaiton. Currently, it appears that Labour doesn’t get the Internet in both roles.

When it comes to digital campaigning the Tories are way ahead. But I know some digitally smart people within that are actively attempting to change things (your boss is probably on of tham!). When it comes to Labour’s record in Government, however, see below.

As I understand it, Smith’s plans for ‘modernising’ data interception aren’t currently taking place. It is a rather new idea of tracking data packages, not the content. This is being portrayed as a ‘good thing’ – i.e. they can’t intercept what’s in the email or video file etc. Reality is it’s a terribly bad thing that is being driven by the security/intelligence agencies. You could argue that the government are in no position to argue back, but that would simply reinforce why it is important to understand technology! See more at [shameles plug] – http://www.simoncollister.com/simonsays/2008/12/happy-2009-unless-the-government-gets-in-the-way.html

Burnham – I won;t go there. The man is on crack.

Now Digital Britain could be interesting if the government understood the Interent. But again I suspect (am I too cynical??) that this is an exercise to appear like it knows what it’s doing. Frankly I don’t Lord Carter and his team to come up with a ground breaking vision when other government departments are working towards extending copyright and ‘censoring’ the Internet. With fundamental flaws in Government policy such as these, I expect carter to tinker at the edges). For more of my thioughts see – http://www.simoncollister.com/simonsays/2008/11/doc-searls-on-digital-capacity-building-in-the-new-admnistration-and-what-lord-carter-can-learn.html

Hopefully they’ll make a few minor mistakes and then learn.

David,
I certainly hope that it is community lead and that they listen. I suppose that’s the key really, listen, learn then react as opposed to trying to lead.

I’m also a massive believer that it’ll take an election (with US-style media engagement) to speed up the ‘digital evolution’.

Chances are that the government will try to apply its old information models to the Internet, but the more e-literate (no pun intended) public won’t buy it.

Politicians’ mindsets need to change before the project goes live. That’s only a matter of motivation. I wish this initiative would succeed, though.

100mb?! Wow!! I’m lucky to get anything drip through – and I’m with BT!

I truly hope that this ‘digital vision’ will actually materialise and is not just a ploy to draw attention to how ‘visionary’ the UK is. Style and substance situation.

I know it has always been the way that the least people have the most power, but if UK politicians don’t begin to change their approach to a digital world, they might find themselves out in the cold.

Thanks for stopping by!

I enjoyed reading this, and sadly, so very true

Having just been to Stockholm and enjoyed my first taste of a 100mb up and down line I am drooling for decent connectivity.

Couple with living near Hull, where we have ZERO choice of ISP – we are stuck with Karoo as we don’t have BT, all of this is top of mind at present.

I’ve just launched http://www.hulldigital.co.uk and a regular,MeetUp where we are hopefully going to create a small, active web community.

The fact that all these politicians have so little experience and knowledge, yet have so much power is truly terrifying.

Best,

Jon