YouTube politics
20 May 2008
As if MPs did not have enough to deal with, now they are YouTube stars, and not always in the way the spin doctors intended.
Yesterday, Gordon Brown, looking decidedly ill-at-ease, introduced the Downing Street YouTube website. The idea is to let the public ask their questions, just as MPs are able to at Prime Minister’s question time. Apparently, we can submit our questions about climate change and the health service, presumably about the government’s policies on these issues though that is not specified. It could be more philosophical, as the questions chosen will be “the most popular” ones. Now, does this mean that popular as in nine out of 10 people have asked this question, or popular as in met with approval by 10 Downing Street? I bet the 10p tax rate and fuel duty for example would be popular by the first definition but not by the second.
Poor Gordon has entered the digital age with this website a little late in the day. With the same enthusiasm as Amy Winehouse ordering a virgin daiquiri he assures us that he is excited about the new YouTube website - honest. It has yet to be seen how interactive the website is which would be a coup, but at the moment, Brown looks deserving of Cameron’s jibe that he is “an analogue politician in a digital age”. The Conservatives have for once not been slow to accept change and have been blogging and webcastings since September 2006 when Cameron was seen on Webcameron sorting out the family breakfast. Since then, guest bloggers have joined the regular blogs, clips to camera and webcasts, which make up the modern political campaign. Cameron is more Blairite than Brown here as he is confident and comfortable in front of the camera.
It was in November 1989 that the Conservative MP Ian Gow made the first televised speech in the House of Commons. Ironically, he had voted against installing the TV equipment. I remember being interested in the project as my father was a consultant on the installation. In the run-up to the first televised parliamentary session, lots of experts advocated MPs not to wear stripes, as they can blur on screen and to wear red as it stands out. Sure enough, there were a few female MPs in red jackets (with shoulder pads, this was the end of the '80s) hoping to stand out, but cunning Mrs. Thatcher was more prominent on the broadcasts as she insisted on wearing a blue jacket, which stood out in the sea of red and grey!
This was the beginning of a new era of politics and a new breed of politician. MPs had to be TV-savvy on the campaign trail, on formal TV appearances and now even in the House of Commons. Today, the ante has been ratched up again with the arrival of YouTube et al, now ministers have to be comfortable in front of shaky hand-held cameras and delivering blogs.
Labour is more popular on YouTube in some respects. After years in power, Blair is prolific as the subject of clips. Him and George Bush. If only there had been YouTube when Ronald Reagan was President….
To end on a puerile note, the edited clips of Gordon picking his nose during a Blair speech should be seen, if only to serve as a reminder to MPs everywhere that the camera truly is the all-seeing eye. You’re on the front bench, for heavens sake! Did you honestly think no-one would see you?
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