Will Prime Minister Cameron use webcameron?

David Cameron has been perceived to have adopted the Internet through his use of webcameron. Although the nature of this has changed over time, with for example some of the two-way interactive features no longer present, it is still interesting that the likely next PM is aware of and uses some of the technology. I wonder, will webcameron still operate in June next year, and if so will it be hosted by Number 10 (and so be a Government broadcast) or the Conservative Party (and so a partisan broadcast)?

Political leaders have in the past used new technologies to support their policies and approaches. FD Roosevelt's fireside chats played a key role in building support for his New Deal. How will Cameron use the Internet? I would strongly caution against using webcameron as currently constituted, as it is essentially a one-way broadcast. A more radical approach would be a more two-way approach. A model of e-representation where politicians are seen to be engaging with citizens might help address the lack of public trust in the body politic. For example, using Cameron's existing broadcast approach, could not members of the public (not politicos) have the opportunity to post questions and here him as PM directly answer them?

I am intrigued by how Government leaders elsewhere have utilised the Internet. One example where the Internet, through force of circumstance, has played an important communication role is Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. Denied a fair crack of the whip by the Zanu-PF dominated media, he has had to use alternative sources of communication. Although access to the Internet in Zimbabwe is low, his use of a website to explain what is going on, and what he is doing, does provide an alternative source of material which will trickle down

I am not suggesting that David Cameron should adopt Morgan Tsvangirai's approach, though he does at least recognise the importance of two-way communciation, rather it suggests that the Internet offers Cameron some useful possibilities of opening up dialogue.