Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
My Society Head Honcho hired by Conservatives to be their internet advisor
From the BBC website:
The Tories have asked a democracy campaigner to help them try to make government more open and efficient.
The party has recruited Tom Steinberg, whose TheyWorkForYou website tracks the activities and voting records of MPs, to be its new internet adviser.
Mr Steinberg said public services and citizens' relationship with the state could be enhanced by the internet.
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Frances Maude said technology must be used more efficiently during a time of austerity.
Civic action
Mr Steinberg founded the MySociety group of websites aimed at making government and Parliament more transparent.
Mr Maude told the Conservative conference in Manchester that Mr Steinberg had shown how government could work with communities to "stimulate real social innovation and civic action".
He stressed the appointment was part of the Tories' attempts to use technology more effectively and efficiently after what he said was the chronic waste under Labour.
Mr Steinberg, who once worked in the prime minister's policy unit, told the Guardian he was "looking forward" to the role.
"A smarter use of IT by government can do more that just deliver services more quickly and efficiently, it can also open up the institutions of state and make our lives as citizens more effective and rewarding," he said.
Guess one of the things he might advise is not to block council employees from social network sites?
Actually, this seems like a smart move and a good example of the best person for the job.
The Tories have asked a democracy campaigner to help them try to make government more open and efficient.
The party has recruited Tom Steinberg, whose TheyWorkForYou website tracks the activities and voting records of MPs, to be its new internet adviser.
Mr Steinberg said public services and citizens' relationship with the state could be enhanced by the internet.
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Frances Maude said technology must be used more efficiently during a time of austerity.
Civic action
Mr Steinberg founded the MySociety group of websites aimed at making government and Parliament more transparent.
Mr Maude told the Conservative conference in Manchester that Mr Steinberg had shown how government could work with communities to "stimulate real social innovation and civic action".
He stressed the appointment was part of the Tories' attempts to use technology more effectively and efficiently after what he said was the chronic waste under Labour.
Mr Steinberg, who once worked in the prime minister's policy unit, told the Guardian he was "looking forward" to the role.
"A smarter use of IT by government can do more that just deliver services more quickly and efficiently, it can also open up the institutions of state and make our lives as citizens more effective and rewarding," he said.
Guess one of the things he might advise is not to block council employees from social network sites?
Actually, this seems like a smart move and a good example of the best person for the job.
Tags for Forum Posts: Tom Steinberg, my society
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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Labour politicians are not very happy about it.
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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I know, Tom Watson MP, Labour social media guru is beside himself isn't he? Did you see his blog post on it with Steinberg's response underneath.
I watched his ire unfold on Twitter and couldn't help but smile. The Tories have nabbed @steiny from under their noses.
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Yes I did see his blog post.
I think @steiny is right though, Labour have presided over Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 and all I can do is submit my tax return online.
Back in 1996 I used to work for the commissioner of Inland Revenue in NZ (an Englishman I might add) and told him that I thought people would submit tax returns via the web one day, he snorted with derision - and I thought he didn't believe me but now I just think he knew how governments work and I didn't.
Anyway, good luck to Mr MySociety.
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Permalink Reply by james walsh on
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Honcho.
Japanese: Hon Cho = expert
I always thought it was spanish
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