Hi everyone, im studying A2 media studies at the moment and am using David Cameron and WebCameron as a case study for my critical research topic, which comes under the title 'Politics in the Media'.

If you could leave your opinions then it would be very helpful. Thank you very much.

David Cameron is a pioneer in many ways. Webcameron has gone through many changes but it remains unique and generally lots of fun. It has been an interesting year!

Personally, I have learned so much about politics just through participating in this forum and watching/listening to DC's contributions. The ongoing discussions/debates have helped me to think through many ideas - and helped me to form opinions...

Happy Birthday Webcameron!

Owen, as we're told the youf of today are so computer-savvy, the idea of letting anyone (even schoolkids) sound off on the Internet about a variety of issues ought to help encourage them to participate in politics. As you can see, you can introduce topics of your own and invite everyone to thrash them out. And there's always a chance that David Cameron or his minions are reading what you say.

Not bad, eh? It's the closest you'll ever get to grabbing the ear of a party leader. And you don't even need to agree with him.

The great thing about webcameron is that it isn't just Conservative supporters who come here. We see basically every shade of political opinion and everyone argues openly about issues of the day. Another good thing about webcameron is that David posts regular videos in his diary section telling us what he is upto and his personal thoughts on what is going on. David Cameron is making a real attempt to engage with voters through webcameron and as you can see there are people who visit this website every single day, which I think shows that webcameron was worth the effort and is a good idea. Although I'm not sure David will have the time to be so interactive once he becomes prime minister, after all that is quite a time-consuming job!

Hi Owen, I would echo what Tony says.
You could also mention that Webcameron was a real novelty when it first began just over a year ago when I joined, and still is.
No senior politician had ever been so interactive before.

Apropos your research, one of the main issues to address is why this particular site has attracted the diversity of people and opinions.

To understand the answer you will need to compare it with other sites viz interactivity, censorship and toeing the line, and dare I say, the core members who keep it alive.

I'm not convinced this, or other mainstream political sites, were aimed at winning the youth vote, rather than taking advantage of the individual MP's grant of £10K, courtesy of the taxpayer. That said, the grant was to help engage the internet community, largely made up of young people.

Anything more will be £10 per 500 words towards the Poppy Appeal 07.

Votedave, David Cameron is showing that he is the most up-to-speed politician that we have ever had. Politics has always been a slow science but David has changed all that. Take for example the policy groups and 'Stand up, Speak up' I was watching the videos on Stand up Speak up showing those young women discussing policy while traveling in a car and it struck me how original the approach was. Completely contemporary.

Is that safe Tony?! :)

Canvas, one was keeping focused on the task of driving while the others were getting stuck into Tory policy. I liked that clip because its encouraging to see young people interested in politics.

Before Webcameron, David Millband had a blog when he was environment minister in the labour party.

Also Anne Widdicombe created a website which she called the WiddyWeb, which amongst other things explained politics to children.

http://www.annwiddecombemp.com/

http://blogs.fco.gov.uk/blogs/david_miliband/

The main benefit of things like this is that politicians and the public can communicate directly bypassing the news media.

Also it gives politicians an indications of the real views of the public and allows the messages of politicians not to be distorted by the media.

Except for moderation, sometimes a bit heavy handed in my IMO, I have, of late, seen little interaction of any politician on this site.

I suppose we are being read and I hope someone passes the general mood and some of the points and suggestions onward and upward and I hope in a form not resembling the info that got to TB. (He never got to read any contrary opinions at all)

jonji:



Probably, but after that...?

The last comment on the David's Responses forum was on the 11th of October!

The points being made on webcameron are being filed in the "too difficult" tray or chucked in the "contrary to our comfy policy" bin.

Thanks chulcoop. I'm aware Webcameron wasn't the first political forum on the Web - but as far as I know DC the first Leader of the Opposition to open one.

I have a lot of sympathy with canvas' last post - we ought to see more from David Cameron on this forum, and from the Shadow Cabinet as well. At least there's been more in the way of videos on the home page.
On the other hand, I wonder if any of us would find the time if we were in shoes (coming home at 10/11pm most nights)?

Maybe we need a cross between Ask David, from the last site, and the new forum from this one?