Twitter & MPs

Research conducted in June this year by myself and Darren Lilleker on MPs use of Twitter adds to the recent melting pot of new research on microblogs.

You can read the basic findings here, but there are a few observations about MPs use of Twitter that are not in this release. I have been researching MPs use of the Internet since 2002, and generally the adoption of each new modality, be it website, e-newsletter, weblog, social networking site and now microblog follows a fairly similar pattern. A few technologically interested MPs (or their staff) dip their toe into each application. Often it is the same people who try each new technology that comes along. Others start them to get on the bandwagon often because society, and especially their constituents, are making use of each new Internet modality. However, what then happens is that we see a split in how they use the Internet. Most don't really have a clear strategic purpose for why they are using each technology. Only a much smaller number have a clear vision of why and how they are using the technology to enhance their representative role, get re-elected or both.

In my PhD thesis I suggested that there are four possible characteristics of a typology of how MPs utilise the Internet:

1) Technophobes - who believe that the possible benefits of fully utilising the Internet are not outweighed by their costs. They probably have a publicised email acocunt and a basic website (though not all) but that it is it. They probably account for up to 30% of the current parliament.
2) Bandwagoners - have a lukewarm interest in the Internet, but see others going online and do so too. This group represents probably a third or possibly more of current MPs.
3) Magpies - cherry pick online communication tools if they believe that they offer them a competitive advantage. Therefore, they may use the Internet effectively, but their motive is essentially for electoral gain. This group probably represents 25-30% of MPs.
4) Pioneers - who champion the Internet not just for their own communication and campaigning benefits, but also as a means of enhancing the democratic process. They represent about 5-10% of MPs.

What I have found interesting about MPs use of Twitter is that the above analysis may not be totally applicable with this modality. The bandwagon is clearly growing very quickly, but it is not full of the usual suspects. There are MPs, such as Peter Lilley, Ed Balls and Paul Rowan who I have not previously picked up on my 'radar' as those particularly interested in the Internet. It may well be that the ease of keeping in regualr touch with constituents through microblogging is attracting more to this modality than other parts of the Internet. I also note that it seems to be quite attractive to party bigwigs, who appear to use it as a one-way communciation channel that makes clear what work they are doing. hence many MPs use Twitter as an impression management tool.

Time will tell whether Twitter becomes another minor communication channel or has a more fundamental impact on representation and political communciation, but I am looking forward to how it would be used at the next election.