Ellee Seymour

Two Tory MPs in East Anglia have added YouTube to their communications strategy to get across their political message.

David Ruffley (right) speaks about the environment and Richard Spring (left)on education. North West Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham has also used it to express his concern about post office closures.

If you have a moment to look at them, I would appreciate your views as I am hoping to use YouTube with Julian Sturdy too. Is it something you find helpful and informative, does it give you an extra insight into the issues, does it help you know a little more about your MP as a person? Do you prefer getting information this way rather than reading about it?

David Ruffley sees it as being mutually beneficial:

“This is all about accessibility and accountability - there is massive scope for feedback and people are able to download my comments on topical issues and listen to them on the bus or train via their iPods.”

Richard Spring explains why he has fully embraced the digital era too:

“Keeping my constituents informed about my views, activities and campaigning is absolutely crucial to my work as the local  Member of Parliament. I am keen to use all the different types of technology available to reach the widest possible audience.”

While it appears to have many benefits, it can also backfire and be abused. Do you remember the spoof video made by those two irresponsible Labour MPs Sion Simon and Tom Watson which invited voters to sleep with David Cameron’s wife Samantha?

And as virtually everyone has some kind of recording equipment included on their phone or camera, it will be easy to capture anything which is said that is detrimental and can be posted on YouTube. This happened to Senator George Allen who made racist comments which were posted here on YouTube.

This is still very early days for mixing politics with YouTube, so returning to my original request for your feedback on this, do you feel YouTube will be an additional useful tool to use to communicate with our social media savvy voters, does it demonstrate a more personal and transparent style, is it something you find appealing, what are your views about this?

Update 23 Jan:  The Washington Post reports on US politicians use of YouTube.

 Jade was at least spared the public humiliation of being thrown into the lion’s den on her eviction from Celebrity Big Brother last night.

She vehemently denied being racist and apologised for her offensive remarks,  but will this be enough to save her crumbling career which lies in tatters? What future awaits her now?

I personally felt her response was very composed and well rehearsed in the circumstances, she did not seem visibly shocked, she must have been warned about the impact her behaviour against Shilpa had had globally.

At least the producers enjoyed unprecedented publicity and ratings, but viewing figures will now slump while the remaining housemates will continue with their witless and boring days.

Will Jade be lucky like Kate Moss, who can do no wrong and clawed back her lost lucrative contracts after apologising for drug abuse? Will Jade accept the ingenious offer from the India Tourism Office to visit their country. Their full page advert in yesterday’s Times tells Jade and friends:

“The best way to understand Incredible India is to visit and we look forward to welcoming you soon.”

I don’t somehow see her packing a bag in a hurry and heading for Mumbai.

 Update: An clever move by Jade to donate her fee for appearing on Celeb Big Brother to charity, as well as her fee for a News of the World interview.

The lesson from this is to record bullies in action and play it back to them on video so they can see how offensive their actions are.

 Update: 21 January, Jade confesses to bullying Shilpa in today’s News of the World.  Meanwhile, a massive shock awaits Danielle as she has reportedly been dumped by Teddy whose team mates have been “bitterly hurt” by her comments.