Wokingham MP John Redwood has signed up to the online social networking site Facebook to make it easier for his constituents to keep up to date with what he is doing locally and in Parliament on their behalf. John joins a number of other Conservative MPs who have signed up for the service, and which enables users to keep up to date with his latest blog entries, view photographs of his campaigning activity and leave comments about his articles, speeches, and contributions in the House of Commons.
Currently, 40 people are using Facebook to track when John updates his website or makes contributions in Parliament, and John hopes more people in Wokingham will use the opportunity to engage with their MP online.
Speaking about his Facebook page, John Redwood said: “Facebook may be the bane of office productivity but we have also seen how social networking technology can be used to mobilise people who feel strongly about a particular issue. At a time when more and more people feel that politics is dominated by spin and politicians are seen as remote and inaccessible, this is another way that the internet can be used so MPs can outline what they are doing for their constituents, and people can let their MP know what issues concern them the most”.
John already makes good use of online technology to keep in touch with his constituents. He has been blogging since December 2006 and his website has won several awards, including being selected as the top ranking MP’s blog in the Total Politics blogging awards. John’s blog, which has a “local issues” section outlining his views on such topics as local rail services, the future of Arborfield post office and the development proposals at Kennet Valley Park, is also read widely outside of Wokingham. Visitors to his site have come from inside the Houses of Parliament, the BBC, the European Parliament, Oxford University, and various banks and financial institutions.
Note for editors:
To sign up as a supporter of John Redwood on Facebook, search for “John Redwood” and, under the option “John Redwood – Politician”, click on “Become a supporter”.