I don't think I've ever seen so much activity on the civic activism front, as this week.
recently launched, or launching
Directionlessgov.com, version 2 - now allows you to compare side-by-side the results from direct.gov. and google, and tracks which links people follow, slowly building a best links database - try 'porn' or 'intermediaries policy' for entertainment
- TheGovernmentSays.com - Does what DowningStreetSays.com does but for the whole damn machine instead of just the PM's press briefings. RSS, trackbacks, comments, the works. Both of these are projects of the remarkable Sam Smith
- WriteToThem.com FaxYourMP for all representatives!
- Public Whip's astonishing Dream MP feature
- TheyWorkForYou.com has been going from strength to strength, adding more of Hansard, links to wikipedia, and today, email alerts, so you can track MPs (mail me whenever she speaks, and key phrases ("fox hunting"). It's linked from every search page, it's lovely and simple and it rocks.
Here's my optimistic prediction for the upcoming election. All the parties will be busy planning endless viral campaigns and pale imitations of Howard Dean's activity in the US election. No one will give a shit. The public will instead use the internet to ensure they are informed as they never before as to what the incumbent has been doing in there name for the last 5 years.
My dream is people up and down the nation opening the door to canvassers with a printout of TheyWorkForYou or Public Whip in their hand.
## 2 Comments ยป
-
### Ben Said,
February 21, 2005 @ 3:16 pm
Fuck it, I might do my "which party are you" viral Excel spreadsheet after all.
-
### Gavin Bell Said,
April 7, 2005 @ 2:19 pm
In fact the canvassers seem to be bringing the printouts to the people....