News story

9th February 2005

Northavon MP Wins E-Democracy Award

Channel 4 Newsreader Jon Snow presenting the award to Steve Webb

Northavon MP Steve Webb has won the first Hansard Society award for the politician who has made best use of new technology to encourage participation in politics.

The MP was given the political innovation award for for his use of e-mail and text messaging to establish a dialogue with his constituents.  He has been running a series of email and texting surveys, seeking the views of a group of more than 3,000 local residents.

Clare Ettinghausen, Director of the Hansard Society said:

"Steve Webb is the very deserving winner for his innovative use of text messaging and email to gauge his constituents’ opinions on topical issues.”

Commenting after the awards ceremony, Steve Webb said:

"I am honoured to have been presented with this award.  It would simply not have been possible without the willingness of more than 3,000 of my constituents who spare their time to email and text me with their views and experiences on a wide range of topics, and I would like to express my thanks to them for this."

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