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opengoverment_#bct09:
Rich
I'd like to ask a question about adapting Number 10 petitions - http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/faq
At the moment the petitions are a list and number of people signed. Could this be still subject based and more split by constituency, linked to MP actions, and therefore see how much representatives represent? Interesting, or more surveillance?
July 24
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That could be interesting, and I suspect that this could be done since it asks you to list your postcode (and thus pinpointing you down to about 3-10 houses). The idea of petitioning bothers me somewhat tho... the idea that it makes most people feel like they're doing something so they don't do anything further... takes the edge off. ~3M people marched on london against the war and the govt still went to war... if they don't want to listen they won't.
- Marcus Povey
You should note that they are No10 petitions, so you are only writing to the PM. So in a sense the constituency is irrelevant.
- Chris Rimmer
I know that Tom Steinberg of MySociety has defended the site by saying that he believes getting people involved even in a small way is a step in the right direction. To be fair, the road pricing petition did make a difference. Other than that though, it mostly acts as a way for the PM to spam you with a "thanks for your petition, but here's why I'm ignoring it" email.
- Chris Rimmer
What's a fair number of signatures for a petition to be considered passed/ rejected? Is it still a decision based on the personal judgement of a few at No 10 at the end of the day?
- Kedar Iyer
Seems they only take notice if you can get a million people!
- Chris Rimmer
@chris I agree that getting people involved even if its in a small way... but I do find the "this is why we're ignoring you" emails somewhat de-motivational... Re road pricing, there is a fair amount of evidence that this idea was never going to be implemented... seems to be a reoccuring tactic to table several options (through leaks or whatever) and see which draws the most flak...
- Marcus Povey
By a petition being split by constituency you put the emphasis both on your MP and Number 10. If you link it to mysociety website reporting on MP records and actions this becomes not just a way to see what your MP is doing, but commenting on what actions you would like them to take. You can also see local support rather than national, which could motivate local discussion
- Rich
That does sound good, but a step change from the No10 petition site. More like Hear From Your MP: http://www.mysociety.org/project...
- Chris Rimmer