news story

30th November 2006

MP's E-mail Consultation Builds "Effective Communication" With Constituents

  Click here to download a summary of the analysis

An independent analysis of the e-mail consultation process carried out by Northavon MP Steve Webb with 5,000 local people has found that it is an effective communication tool and builds relationships with his constituents.

Steve Webb won a Channel 4 "E-democracy" award last year his use of new technology to encourage participation in politics, and was approached by Nigel Jackson, an academic from Bournemouth University, who wanted to find out how local residents view the process.

Members of the local MP's email group were asked to complete a short online questionnaire, and Mr Jackson analysed the results. 890 questionnaires were completed, and a summary of the findings can be found by clicking here.

The research found that the email consultation process enables Steve Webb to build a good two-way dialogue with his constituents. The questions asked at periodic intervals by the MP have covered issues such as the replacement of Trident, GM crops and the BBC licence fee. Background briefing puts across opposing points of view and people are asked to vote "yes" or "no" in response to a specific question. Responses to past questions can be viewed here.

Constituents can join the group by visiting Steve Webb's website and completing the form on the left-hand side of the home page, called "Join my e-mail group."

Commenting on the findings of the analysis, Steve Webb said:

"I am delighted by the findings of Nigel Jackson's study. It is good to know that my email consultations are appreciated by my constituents and help them to inform their own political views.

"I find this process very important in engaging local people in some of the topical issues, and it also helps people to feel more connected to what their local MP is up to.

"I have now been given responsibility for writing the next Liberal Democrat manifesto and hope to conduct e-mail consultations with party members across the country."