If elected representatives only used the internet, one might suppose, then they would see the benefit of online activities. But do members use the internet? This study is a fascinating exploration of the websites offered by British Members of Parliament. While figures suggest that 71 percent of Members have sites, a large number of sites are broken or cookie-cutter Epolitix sites, reducing the actual number to 48 percent. Of these, few offered any sort of interaction, almost no commentary on current issues, and were often out of date. When government representatives don't see the benefit of the internet for themselves, it seems to me, they will be less likely to see the benefit in other areas of endeavour. Many more papers on this topic are available at the Internet, Political Organisations and Participation page.
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