John Bercow versus the Status Quo
Posted: 28/11/2013 | Author: The Political Idealist | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: democracy, Digital democracy, John Bercow, news, Politics, Voting |4 Comments »The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, cuts a more interesting figure than many of his recent predecessors. Many of the rabid right backbenchers from his own party cannot stand him, resulting in his being called “a stupid, sanctimonious dwarf” (Mr Bercow is not particularly tall). His wife, aspiring Labour MP Sally Bercow, has hit the headlines through her unwise claims on Twitter (*innocentface*!) and her posing in just a bedsheet for photographs to be printed in London’s Evening Standard. But most importantly, Bercow shows real concern for the state of parliamentary democracy.
Considering that Bercow ascended to the Speakership in the aftermath of the MPs’ expenses scandal, his focus on rebuilding links between representatives and the represented seems like a particularly appropriate theme. That’s why Bercow has liberalised some Parliamentary procedures, fostered links with the UK Youth Parliament and stressed the importance of genuine debates rather than jeering and gesturing on the green benches. But that’s just tinkering around the edges. Today, the Speaker has taken the most important decision of his career. He is launching a Speaker’s Commission.
The Commission shall be mandated to propose measures for the expansion of digital democracy in what Bercow is grandly calling “parliament 2.0″. Online voting, debating through social media, and digital communication between MPs and their constituents will all be looked at. Also, the Commission will meet Apple, Google and Facebook [insert catty comment about tax dodgers here] to develop these ideas into workable proposals that could be written into legislation. The changes proposed are certainly radical.
We have to bring politics to the people: the consequences of a shrinking politically active clique running the country are too hideous to contemplate. And as the Internet is increasingly the place where citizens engage with the world around them, that’s where our politics has to be. Some of us may mourn the fall from importance of conferences, committees and community campaigning, but alas, the world has moved on over recent decades.
However, I have serious concerns about the security implications of online voting. Most of us are aware of the sheer power of computer hackers, and the chances of Anonymous “winning” the odd seat with a little technical knowhow are alarmingly high.
I will await the findings of the Commission with keen interest and an open mind, but I think there may be limitations to digital democracy.
