News story

26th August 2002

Local MP "Commended" In Awards For Engaging With Constituents

Northavon MP Steve Webb has received a commendation for his communication with constituents in the prestigious New Statesman “New Media” Awards 2002.

The annual awards seek to recognise public bodies and other groups who use technology to communicate effectively with the public and are awarded in various categories. The “elected representative” category was for those who use “new media tools” to engage citizens more fully in civic society. The shortlist included web sites run by, amongst others, the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, and Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe.

But the best two sites according to the judges were those run by Lib Dem MP Edward Davey (who won the prize) and by Steve Webb MP, whose site was “commended” by the judges. On the site, at www.stevewebb.org.uk, the MP’s constituents can find out how to be asked their views by e-mail on current issues and can learn how to send text messages to their MP. They can also search through over 100 newspaper columns written by the MP in recent years and can find links to debates in Parliament in which the MP has participated.

Commenting, Steve Webb said:

“I am delighted that the efforts I am making to be accessible to my constituents have been recognised by the judges in these awards. My web site is intended to make it easier for my constituents to know what I have been doing and saying on their behalf and also to help me to find out their views. Representing people effectively means an ongoing two-way dialogue, and I am delighted that my web site is playing a small part in facilitating that dialogue”.

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Note to editors: more details about the awards can be found on the New
Statesman web site at: www.newstatesman.co.uk/nma2002winners.htm.