The consumption of e-democracy in Britain Wainer Lusoli University of Chester

E-democracy is… ‘a general concept covering a variety of visions of how electronic media could be used to facilitate more direct and equitable participation in politics’ (Dutton, 1992)

Attitudes vs. behaviour High citizens’ hopes for ICTs Low uptake of the Internet for political aims Social stratification (e.g. reinforcement)

European optimism about technologies, Source: Gaskell et al. 2003

411834Voting in national elections via the Internet Regular government bulletins on policy issues of interest to you Government online polling on policy issues Access to all Govt services via the Internet Being able to comment via to the Parliament on major laws being discussed All MPs having web sites All MPs using addresses Would not like to see (%) Don't mind (%) Would like to see (%) Support for e-government and e-democracy features Source: Ward et al, December 2004

A reality check December % of British public engaged in any online political activity December % of British public contacted their MP online May % of British public used the Internet as a source of information about the election

Individuals who used the Internet in the last three months to obtain information from public authority websites. Source: Eurostat, EU-15 — 2003

Prospective uses of Internet Source: Lusoli at al. 2005

The way ahead? Increasing public expectations for more online activity by UK institutions Technology matters - long-term internet and broadband users Issues matter rather than politics per se Institutions matter: devolved assemblies, local best practice Ahhh, youth…

The unlikely setting… Liaisons Committee, 8 February 2005 Q103 Mr Allan: You have something of a reputation of being a technophobe on a personal level, is that fair? Mr Blair: I am afraid that is fair actually, yes. Q104 Mr Allan: It is. Have you ever visited the multi-million pound central government website that you have set up to get us all to use these new electronic government facilities? Mr Blair: I think that is a very unfair question. The answer is no. Q105 Mr Allan: Do you know the address of this multi-million pound project? Mr Blair: No. Q106 Mr Allan: Your head of e-government, Ian Watmore, would be able to tell you all about it. Mr Blair: That is exactly why delegation is such an important part of the job of a prime minister.