POLITICIANS RESPOND TO THE DIGITAL DEMOCRACY CALL
Added: (Mon Mar 15 2010)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Digital Democracy is the world’s first online democratic forum and enables people in communities to collectively identify their top priority. The site is currently being piloted in the North East where the Durham MP and Regional MEP have already uploaded their responses to the community’s top concerns, as identified by Digital Democracy. So what did they have to say-
In Durham you said -
“I am concerned by traffic congestion around Durham. The solution is to make sure that employers try and provide alternatives to car use for their staff”.
Roberta Blackman Woods MP Said –
“Firstly I must say how pleased I am to be making this first MPs response on Digital Democracy. It is fantastic to see that the site is now up and running and working well. I hope to see the number of people engaging with the site increasing week after week.
Traffic congestion in the City of Durham has been a large concern of mine for a long time now which is why I supported the expansion of the Park and Ride service in order to ease congestion within the City Centre, particularly at peak times. This is an issue that is clearly of concern to many local residents and so I would seek to prioritise further measures to reduce congestion if I am re-elected. Best Wishes, Roberta Blackman-Woods MP”
In the North East Region you said –
“I am concerned by the North East region being neglected by our politicians. The solution is more investment, more jobs, more answers.”
Fiona Hall MEP Said –
“It is a great shame that the North-South divide has not narrowed substantially over the past decade even though in Tony Blair the region produced the longest-serving Labour prime minister in British history. However, with its great research centres and facilities, wind and tidal resources and skilled workforce, the region has the real potential to become a leader in low carbon technologies. It is imperative that the necessary investments are put in place now. For example, the Liberal Democrats have put forward proposals to improve the port infrastructure in the North East in order for offshore wind turbines to be produced in the region. I have been lobbying Westminster for years to upgrade our road and rail networks because the region needs to be better connected with the rest of the country. The region is showing great leadership by already putting in place a wide network of charging points for electric vehicles.
Such investments will bring much needed and sustainable jobs to the region. Local authorities need to work hand-in-hand with the region’s MPs and MEPs to ensure that the North East receives the maximum amount of funding from both the Treasury and Brussels.
I hope that this website will encourage people to lobby their elected representatives to push for more investment for the North East. This region does not deserve to be taken for granted and we need to act now to help it fulfil its potential. Best wishes, Fiona Hall MEP for North East England”
Across the nation you said -
“I am concerned by the lack of power family law courts have at providing fathers with contact with their children if they want to see them. The solution is make more people aware of how often this happens. Increasing awareness and providing more power to the courts to do something about it”.
Roberta Blackman Woods MP said –
“I am very happy to take this matter up with the Ministry of Justice and have written to Jack Straw to ask for his comments on the matter. I will of course update this response when I receive a reply from him.
Best Wishes, Roberta Blackman-Woods MP”
If you want to get involved then just go to www.digitaldemocracy.org.uk