By Jo Best, 15 March 2006 12:20
NEWS
Tony Blair a self-confessed "technophobe" - will be turning to instant messaging to chat with the voters.
The PM will be using MSN Messenger to chat to 10 members of the public, who will be invited to put questions to him over IM.
MSN is asking would-be politicos to submit their questions at www.msn.co.uk/pmwebchat. Microsoft will pick the winners, who will be able to ask the question in person to the PM by IM video conversation.
Blair is particularly keen to be grilled on Africa and climate change, MSN said.
Previously, the Prime Minister has pressed the virtual flesh using a mobile chatroom, where the electorate asked Blair's opinions on subjects including Iraq and his favourite guitar solo.
Comments
There are 9 comments. Join the discussion
1. anonymous
"Blair is particularly keen to be grilled on Africa and climate change, MSN said."
Yeah, right!
In other words, don't even think about asking questions to do with ID Cards, Pension Schemes, Education, Crime, failed assylum seekers ..............
It's a total sham, typical of this manipulative spinner.
2. Anthony Hunt
So Blo-Air will only take scripted questions, carefully chosen to meet his agenda?
No quizzing on money-for-knighthoods, squandered pensions, backdoor taxation, Iraq or any other real issues?
Woo! What a surprise!
3. Ruth
To anyone going for it - could I suggest Iraq - again - & God. Hope the outcome is going to be available to the public!
4. anonymous
I don't see any point in using Instant Messenger to answer questions that have been previously cleared as being suitable.
It's obvious what he's up to - he wants to portray himself as being willing and able to use modern communications without taking the risk of being asked an embarrasing question i.e. not having to address an issue that is of real concern to the public. When the TV coverage is broadcast I bet there'll be no mention of the questions having already been screened for suitablility.
There's a couple of relevant things I'd like to ask him about but there's not a chance of my question getting asked.
5. Gaidheal
Ooh look! A publicity stunt!
"I'm not really hopeless with technology, honest!"
"See, the electorate cares a lot more about Africa and how eco-friendly Cherie and I are, not about all that doom and gllom stuff in Iraq, ID cards being brought in by the back door and the Sectarianization of their schools! Business as usual then..."
Unfortunately, people will probably fall for it too.
6. Radical Meldrew
I let out a joyous whoop when I first read this article but then realised that our 'Tone' (man of the people) was only willing to be grilled ON Africa and not as I first thought IN Africa! Roast PM anyone?
7. Karen Challinor
Email tony at
http://www.locata.co.uk/commons/mail.asp?cons_id=390
you'll probably be ignored if you aren't in his constituency but it's worth a try
8. anonymous
May I congratulate the previous correspondents on their comments.
Personally I do not use IM because of its well documented vulnerabilties & very few of the people I know type fast enough to use it effectively. I also doubt that Tony Blah, blah, blah can type fast either. So will probably have a typist, copy typing the answers to the pre-submitted question. Like his so called 'Big Conversation' when many of those who responded had their e-mail addresses passed on to Labour Part HQ at Millbank & received Labour Party Spam commencing with, "Dear Labour Party Supporter", of which apparently very few were. Everything he & his party touch is suspect. Very suspect
9. Reader
Have to agree with the observations of the previous correspondents. It really is a sham this huge publicity stunt.
When has B-Liar ever listened to the electorate? He only wants to listen to his corporate buddies and Neo-con warmongers in Washington.
The UK electorate are considered non-entities.