Technology could impact on the next UK general election several ways, suggests Mike Butcher writing at mbites- and e-voting isn't one of them. Part of it may be the increase in organising through the Net, as show by US presidential Democratic candidate Howard Dean. More important, says Mike, could be the aim of politicians to cut administrative cost by moving services online.
Last week the Financial Times leaked news that Sir Peter Gershon, leading the Government's efficiency review, is suggesting that to cut costs, certain interactions the public has with government should be made compulsory among the "e-capable": Internet-savvy groups like accountants, young people, students and higher rate taxpayers. Everyone else would be sent to call centres, Jobcentres, or, as a last resort, paper forms.
Mike says of this and other measures: "It could easily undermine the Conservative Party's plan to slash £35bn from government spending over five years, when the Labour party is plotting to cut £10-£15bn a year for the next three years and pump the savings into the one thing the electorate cares about: public services."
He points out that the leaked proposals are reminiscent of the "SmartGov" report from think tank the Work Foundation last year. He goes on to warn about over-estimating the scope for using the Net for e-government when many people do not favour this medium. What's needed will be a more tailored approach involving a range of media including mobile phones and digital TV. And as e-health insider points on in another comment on the leak, promised savings through technology in Government have often been illusive. They say Gershon's report also queries whether enough money has been earmarked to ensure staff buy into new systems and embrace the potential efficiencies to be gained.
As so often it's people who make the difference in what works and what doesn't - whether they are consumers unwilling to use the technology, or staff unable to deliver it. Mike Butcher makes a passing reference to the Luddites, who in the early 19th century resisted the introduction of power-looms and machines associated with reduced wages. Riots and executions followed. More recently, particularly in the US, neo-Luddites have questioned the application of digital technologies. Martin Ryder provides a list of resources on Luddism and Neo-Luddite Reaction , but I couldn't find much recent reference, and nothing on Luddites and e-government. Yet.
Previously here
Would you walk to e-government?
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