Sam Blogs….

Well it has been a busy for weeks for most students what with deadlines for coursework and exams. It is safe to say I have been pretty stressed out. However, it seems to have been an even busier few weeks for Gordon Brown and his merry bunch of idiots in the New Labour party. It was been widely reported as the worst period in his tenure, facing criticism not only from the back benches and opposition but also from within his cabinet.

Much of the criticism was focused, amusingly, around a certain youtube video regarding MP’s expenses. The video gathered all sorts of coverage, from being ripped apart on Have I Got News For You to the usual BBC news reporting. However, it is hard to take this man seriously. Take a look for yourself…..

Now I am sure you will admit that, whislt this was a rushed video to try and limit the damage caused by the crisis of ‘expenses’, the facial expressions of Gordon Brown are quite worrying. However, this is not the main issue that has been raised regarding the video. As I mentioned, this was sort of a ‘holding statement’ in response to a issue that was snow-balling into a crisis for the government. Labour’s use of communications as a method of damage limitations has back fired in the past and this is a further example of it. What the premier was proposing in the video was rejected in the House of Commons – leaving him with a fairly large amount of egg on his grimacing face.

Now, the backlash of this defeat – his first in the commons – has lead many to question the Government’s methods. Hazel Blears, Communities secretary, crticised the use of ‘new media’ by the government – stating ‘YouTube if you want to’. Blears then went on to suggest that new media does not aid the communication process or image promotion of the Labour party and more time should be given to old fashioned face to face politics – ‘knocking on doors’ and ’setting up stalls in town centres’.

Personally, I agree. Whilst new media does assist in reaching certain audiences and provides an instant resource for both the public and media to use, it can not and should not do so at the expense of face-to-face communication. Politicians are representing the people and should interact with them at a personal level – after all we elect them to serve us. to try and do so over the internet not only leaves yourself open for criticism from all angles but it also allows people to look at your silly face again and again and again.

In other news – Birmingham City have been promoted to the Premiership. Excellent.