By Will Sturgeon, 12 May 2006 16:25
NEWS
UK business and innovation is being held back by a lack of MPs with relevant knowledge and understanding of technology.
A poll of silicon.com readers revealed little faith among voters that the Houses of Parliament contain anywhere near the level of necessary experience in IT.
An overwhelming 72 per cent of respondents said they believe a shortage of IT experience is hampering UK innovation and business, compared to 23 per cent who believe the problems that UK businesses face are more deeply rooted and IT understanding would do little to help.
A further three per cent of respondents said, perhaps controversially, that people with an IT background are not well suited to becoming good statesmen.
Self-confessed techie and Tory MP for Welwyn Hatfield, Grant Shapps, told silicon.com that if MPs fail to understand the benefits technology can deliver the result could be flawed legislation that badly impacts UK citizens or businesses.
One infamous example was the DTI's ham-handed handling of an anti-spam consultation, which led to UK computer users and businesses being lumbered with flawed laws.
The recent ID card debate also suggests there is a gulf between what the government wants to achieve and its understanding of the technological challenges that exist in implementing such a scheme.
Shapps added that, at the very least, MPs should be using technology on a daily basis to make themselves more organised, more efficient and better prepared to serve their constituents.
He said: "Being IT literate isn't everything but if you're having to rely on your staff to do your typing, if you're failing to use IT to organise your diary and you haven't the faintest idea about e-campaigning, then you're certainly giving yourself a serious handicap as a modern MP."
The findings of the silicon.com poll follow a report earlier this week accusing the government of failing to support the UK's knowledge economy.
Comments
There are 4 comments. Join the discussion
1. Julian Nicholls
While I subscribe to the view that in general our MPS are not sufficiently IT-literate, I was very impressed by my own MP, Desmond Swayne.
I e-mailed him on the morning of one of the votes on ID cards pointing out the technical problems, and sending him to this site. I expected a stock reply from his secretary a week later, but no, I had a personal e-mail within an hour and the relevant pages from Hansard a week later.
2. Frank Little
It doesn't help that there is a shortage of technically-literate senior civil servants. There are two main factors:
1) A bias in favour of classical disciplines in first appointing administrative-class civil servants;
2) The greater rewards in the commercial field for IT people (witness your other story of the day).
3. david clish
This is a continuation of the problem which will continue to be ignored as to admit there failing in undestanding technology advancement is seen to be a loss of face.
Until the Mp,s we at times reluctantly vote into office and fail to address the situation third world countries will capitalise on Britains lack of forsight.
We have some of the best IT personnel who are not recognised for their contribution.
Would the last person to leave please switch off the lights.
4. Richard Sarson
Not all MPs are luddites. Check out the websites of the techie All Party Groups, EURIM, PITCOM (Parliamentary IT Committee) and APIG (All Party Internet Group:
www.eurim.org.uk
www.pitcom.org.uk
www.apig.org.uk
Note that Grant Shapps MP is not listed as a member of any of these.
A balanced view of the MP/IT problem is at:
http://technology.guardian.co.uk/weekly/story/0,,1726244,00.html
(But I would say that, wouldn't I?)