Rob Wilson's Westminster Diary

Rob Wilson MP • Published 19 Feb 2009 09:00 0 Comments

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POLITICS is clearly more febrile than it was even 10 years ago. The internet, mobile phones and a 24-hour news media have all changed politics and the way it operates. Information is now available from a host of sources, some of which are less than balanced.

The number of blogs has dramatically increased, particularly among those in or around politics, and occasionally these are the people making the news. Anybody who wants it can seemingly have a ready audience, although rarely as big as they would like!

Control has passed away from cosy relationships between a couple of broadcasters and MPs, and it has changed the way politicians at Westminster and beyond behave. Gossip and hearsay have been elevated to things believed to be tangible, it has become difficult to separate speculation from reality as the blogs, Facebook and twitterers pour forth.

Many MPs, including myself, have been left behind. Do you join this chaos or stand well back? I have chosen to take part, but only in a limited way, because I simply can't afford to spend the time that all these activities take. What I try to do is keep my constituents informed about my opinions and what I do politically, and give them access points that suit their lifestyle. It's not perfect, but I am always striving to improve the ways in which I communicate.

These developments have also had an impact on public reaction. Because there are multiple sources of information people tend to move their opinions around more than in the past.

Loyalty to one political party is less than it was and therefore bigger opinion swings can be felt in fairly short periods of time. For example, this week a poll showed a Conservative lead over Labour of 20%, which would give David Cameron a 196-seat majority. Two months ago people were talking about a fourth Labour term, however unlikely that might appear, which does demonstrate the propensity for mood shifts. If we go to the very end of the electoral cycle (as is likely now, June 2010, although I refuse to rule out June 2009 yet), the public mood will shift several more times. One constant is Harold Wilson's adage that "a week is a long time in politics".

When asked by a journalist the most likely thing to blow governments off-course, Harold Macmillan replied, "Events dear boy, events." It's fair to say we will have our fair share of events over the next 18 months and you can bet the bloggers and twitterers will be in the thick of it!

PS: I am going to break my self-imposed rule of not mentioning Martin Salter in my column. Last week, however, he announced he is stepping down as an MP. Whatever one's view of his contribution and views, it is important we thank all those who take part in public life. It is not easy and involves, in many cases, considerable sacrifice.

So I add my thanks for his service and wish him and his family well in the future.

This blog appeared in Reading Chronicle 19 Feb 09

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