Labour MPs turn into a bunch of tweets

From LabourList

The Labour Party has today announced that MPs are to begin using Twitter and Facebook through their websites. MPs will be able to use the tools to gain wider and more regular contact with their constituents.

Tom Watson launched the new initiative, saying:

"Labour MPs will be able to update their constituents on what they are doing on a regular basis through Twitter and Facebook.

"It will help our MPs communicate with local people where they are and in a way that people want."

The new system being put in place will allow MPs to Tweet automatically every time their websites are updated (though this will mean that they will also have to set up Twitter accounts to actually make it work). Potentially, this could pull a lot of MPs into twitter.

Many MPs already maintain a presence on Facebook and last week John Prescott revealed an affection for the site. But with Twitter, members' messages will filter immediately into people's update feed. This will all be complemented by the option to display updates from Facebook and Twitter on the websites themselves.

MPs using the tools will have a clear incentive to write extra content on top of regular site updates. A guide is being distributed to MPs this week to advise them on how best to use these tools to engage with their constituents.

Our web developers, TangentOne, are responsible for implementing the new system for MPs websites. Their CEO, Greg Jackson, also had some words to say this morning:

"Twitter has grown tenfold in the last year and actually has higher penetration in the UK than the US."

Over the past couple of weeks, it's been difficult to pick up a freesheet or read a gossip column without reading of Twitter. And the mainstream media have been cutting back on photography (and often, with respect, journalism) costs by plundering Facebook for a number of years.

"With Twitterers like Stephen Fry and Barack Obama using it as a serious engagement tool it has gained enormous prominence, so it's offering a real opportunity for all MPs to enhance their dialogue with constituents."

Greg Jackson is right about the potential of these tools to make a serious difference. The real question is how high the uptake will be.

As BrandRepublic points out, several Labour MPs are already twittering:

"Currently there are only around a dozen Labour MPs who Twitter including David Lammy (@DavidLammyMP), Kerry McCarthy (@KerryMP) and Tom Harris (@tomharris1964). Watson leads the way with 1628 followers, while Lammy has 435".

We at LabourList have already dipped our toes into the Twitterverse - we have one profile which keeps our followers updated on our material, while our editor, Derek Draper, maintains his own personal profile. Both of them are, of course, well worth a follow.