Comments on: Petitioning: the good, the bad and the ugly http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org/2008/01/petitioning-good-bad-and-ugly.htm Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:02:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: dreamingspire http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org/2008/01/petitioning-good-bad-and-ugly.htm/comment-page-1#comment-851 dreamingspire Wed, 09 Jan 2008 06:47:00 +0000 http://localhost/wp28/?p=1524#comment-851 Following Mash:<br/>Well, we don't have a National Identity Register, do we? That is all part of the fundamental way that the UK differs from continental Europe. What we might have now is a 15 year programme to move to a fairly clean NIR.<br/>Second, for e-petitions the check should be to verify that signatories are entitled to vote here.<br/>In practice I think that you have to rely on self-declaration, and thus there is a significant risk of global sources bombing a petition - but you could try restrict it to signatories only by those using a UK IP address (not foolproof, I know, and there will be some who validly post from an off-shore IP address). Following Mash:
Well, we don’t have a National Identity Register, do we? That is all part of the fundamental way that the UK differs from continental Europe. What we might have now is a 15 year programme to move to a fairly clean NIR.
Second, for e-petitions the check should be to verify that signatories are entitled to vote here.
In practice I think that you have to rely on self-declaration, and thus there is a significant risk of global sources bombing a petition – but you could try restrict it to signatories only by those using a UK IP address (not foolproof, I know, and there will be some who validly post from an off-shore IP address).

]]> By: Mash, Tory http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org/2008/01/petitioning-good-bad-and-ugly.htm/comment-page-1#comment-850 Mash, Tory Tue, 08 Jan 2008 23:03:00 +0000 http://localhost/wp28/?p=1524#comment-850 I am supportive of an e-petitioning website hosted by the British Parliament, enabling people irrespective of their political affiliation or those of none are able to address their concerns and draw support amongst online supporters. My one concern is whether MPs or Ministers endeavour to listen to what people believe or say on an online petition. Secondly, there would be a need to ensure that e-petitioners are United Kingdom citizens, allowing Members of Parliament (MPs) and Ministers to gauge some indication of feeling on the ground. However, I am not precisely sure how you seek to moderate the e-petitioning system or prevent non-UK citizens to participate. If this is for MPs and Ministers to understand the concerns of their constituents, then there clearly needs to be a system to ensure only UK citizens can participate. Thirdly, what measures will be in place to ensure the system is not randomly abused by its online users? <br/><br/>Finally, my thoughts are that MPs and perhaps Ministers could be encouraged to participate in the blogging sphere, giving them a better understanding of feeling amongst ordinary bloggers. What would you say to that suggestion? Obviously, as an MP, you have started by setting a positive example, perhaps encouraging other MPs and Ministers to do the same. Then some people will stop claiming MPs and Ministers are so out of touch with reality. I am supportive of an e-petitioning website hosted by the British Parliament, enabling people irrespective of their political affiliation or those of none are able to address their concerns and draw support amongst online supporters. My one concern is whether MPs or Ministers endeavour to listen to what people believe or say on an online petition. Secondly, there would be a need to ensure that e-petitioners are United Kingdom citizens, allowing Members of Parliament (MPs) and Ministers to gauge some indication of feeling on the ground. However, I am not precisely sure how you seek to moderate the e-petitioning system or prevent non-UK citizens to participate. If this is for MPs and Ministers to understand the concerns of their constituents, then there clearly needs to be a system to ensure only UK citizens can participate. Thirdly, what measures will be in place to ensure the system is not randomly abused by its online users?

Finally, my thoughts are that MPs and perhaps Ministers could be encouraged to participate in the blogging sphere, giving them a better understanding of feeling amongst ordinary bloggers. What would you say to that suggestion? Obviously, as an MP, you have started by setting a positive example, perhaps encouraging other MPs and Ministers to do the same. Then some people will stop claiming MPs and Ministers are so out of touch with reality.

]]> By: Peter Black http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org/2008/01/petitioning-good-bad-and-ugly.htm/comment-page-1#comment-849 Peter Black Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:37:00 +0000 http://localhost/wp28/?p=1524#comment-849 The Welsh Assembly will be launching an e-petition site shortly. I believe there is already one running in Scotland. The Welsh Assembly will be launching an e-petition site shortly. I believe there is already one running in Scotland.

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