Bristol West MP Stephen Williams launches new blog

color:black">So, Bristol West MP Stephen Williams (who lives in Redland) has

become the latest in an ever growing role call of politicians who have decided

to embrace modern technology and write a blog.

The blog, launched last month, is designed to give constituents in

Redland and the rest of Bristol West, an insight into his work as their MP.

There’s no escaping it, if politicians want to engage with younger

voters they must go online. Take Kerry McCarthy, MP for Bristol East she has

been dubbed the Twitter Tsar for her prolific use of the Twitter social

networking site. However, she got her fingers burned during the 2010 election

by inadvertently revealing part of a ballot before the ballot boxes had closed.

Oops.

With the under 30s neglecting traditional means of mass

communication (I’m talking newspapers here), older politicians need to look at

social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook as well as ensuring their

websites are up to date.

As a politician, an up to date website or blog is an easy way of

promoting yourself and telling everyone what you’re about without the need to knock

on every door in your constituency – which let’s face it, you’re never going to

do.

Writing in his first blog post, Stephen said: "I've always

tried to be an open and accessible politician. Back in the mid 1990s I was one

of the first councillors in Bristol to have an email address. I've had a web

site for over a decade and am a Facebook enthusiast…and unlike many MPs I manage my own Facebook profile,

rather than getting an intern to do it! I've been a blogging and Twitter

sceptic and resisted constant urgings to try them out. But I've decided to cave

in on the former and give it a go."

Stephen is the latest in a line of Bristol Lib Dem politicians who

are using blogging and other internet tools to keep in touch with their

constituents. Councillors Neil Harrison and Alex Woodman both write blogs, and

Ashley councillor Jon Rogers is a longstanding user of Twitter, with over 500

followers.

To read Stephen's blog click HERE.

So what do we think? Do they make a difference? And can not having

an online presence hinder your success as a politician? Or is it all a bit of a

waste of time – ultimately, people vote for the party rather than the person do

they not?