By silicon.com, 14 April 2005 15:55
Technology is already playing a big part in the general election campaign - for better and for worse.
This week Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats unveiled their manifestos, and while the details might differ, many of the promises for extra spending and efficiency made by each of the parties are underpinned by the better use of IT.
Whoever wins, we can be sure that cutting out waste and duplication by smarter use of technology across the public sector is a policy that will be pursued with vigour.
The path of government tech projects has rarely run smoothly, no matter which party is in charge, yet that doesn't change that even the most tech-savvy voter would be hard-pressed to decide which of the parties would be most efficient at overseeing IT projects.
After all, they are choosing between politicians, not project managers.
In which case, is technology really a political issue? While a party's policy on, say, biometric ID cards might sway the way you vote, what about its attitude towards NHS modernisation, public sector IT procurements or broadband?
Throughout the election campaign, silicon.com will be keeping tabs on the policies and the use of IT in the campaign itself.
Let us know what you think are the technology issues that the parties should (or should not) be addressing by posting a Reader Comment below or emailing us at editorial@silicon.com.
It is unfortunate that the first few days of the campaign have been marked by the sort of stunts - such as candidates registering URLs which include the names of their rivals - that should have died out long ago.
If the only use that political parties can find for the internet is as a venue for cheap tricks, then that doesn't bode well for future IT policy, whoever gets elected.
Comments
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1. Salman Farsi
It's really amazing to see all the political parties talking about creating a bright future for the next generation's, but I haven't heard a single word from any parties about creating a tech aware society.
There's been no such talk about creating technology park's or initiatives that could help revive or regenerate area's that are not doing so well in this new economy.
While the government is pumping or subsidising worthless cause's with million's a day, no one has been bothered to talk about the positive effect's a tech enabled society could bring about in the British economy.
It wouldn't be amazing to see, countries like India surpassing Britain in term's of innovation in the next few year's.
Will the politician's at least wake up, and think ?
2. anonymous
Technology is perceived as difficult. Perhaps rightly so. A degree in say medieval history or english is a much softer option than say electronic engineering or mathematics.
As a result, few politicians have a technology background, and those that do are a tiny voice amongst the majority.
Yes technology matters! It has been responsible for most of the improvements in life over the last 200 years (and some of the disasters).
The Lib Dems seem closest to understanding the benefits and dangers of technology - see silicon.com comment on their manifesto.