Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

UK's House of Lords Speaks To Voters Via YouTube, Blogs

Posted by Soulskill on from the explaining-policies-one-tube-at-a-time dept.

PHPNerd writes "In a bold move to connect with the next generation of young British voters, the House of Lords has launched a YouTube video series that will detail what it does and make it more accessible to the younger generation. It accompanies an experimental blog in which various Lords write about political issues and can receive feedback from anyone around the world. The article quotes spokesman Owen Williams saying, 'We're trying to engage with younger people and people who may not be interested in politics. We looked at YouTube because it appeals to people outside the political elite.' Is this doomed to failure, or should more governments be doing something similar?"

10 of 109 comments (clear)

  1. Constitutional Role by gilgongo · · Score: 2, Interesting

    YouTube videos would seem to be entirely consistent with the English constitution, according to Bagehot:

    "The fancy of the mass of men is incredibly weak; it can see nothing without a visible symbol, and there is much that it can scarcely make out with a symbol. Nobility is the symbol of mind. It has the marks from which the mass of men always used to infer mind, and often still infer it. A common clever man who goes into a country place will get no reverence; but the 'old squire' will get reverence. Even after he is insolvent, when every one knows that his ruin is but a question of time, he will get five times as much respect from the common peasantry as the newly-made rich man who sits beside him. The common peasantry will listen to his nonsense more submissively than to the new man's sense. An old lord will get infinite respect. His very existence is so far useful that it awakens the sensation of obedience to a sort of mind - the coarse dull, contracted multitude, who could neither appreciate or perceive any other."

    --
    "And the meaning of words; when they cease to function; when will it start worrying you?"
  2. Re:UK's House of Lords Speaks To Voters Via YouTub by TheDugong · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Don't knock it. Australia has Senator On-Line received a mere 8000 votes, but an interesting concept. http://senatoronline.com.au/ Our (well, I am British as well, but cannot vote there as I am not resident) upper house is elected of course.

  3. Will it succeed? Depends on the execution... by religious+freak · · Score: 4, Interesting

    If they try to "make it cool" in an attempt to make it accessible, it will fail and be quite embarrassing (see HoL rap above!).

    If they make it accessible by speaking plainly, relating the issues to how they affect young people, Britain, and the world, it might have a shot at moderate success. (particularly if they show it in schools)

    In any event, if executed halfway decently, I believe they should be commended for trying, regardless of the outcome.

    --
    If you can read this... 01110101 01110010 00100000 01100001 00100000 01100111 01100101 01100101 01101011
  4. Re:"We lie cheat and steal... " by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    A nice summary, but you forgot one other factor; because positions in the Lords are not dependent on party privilege, it is more or less impossible for a chief whip to force the Lords to toe a line because kicking them out of the party damages the party more than the Lord/Lady. As such the party structure in the Lords is what it used to be in the commons; a convenient system of shorthand labels for broad factions within an individualistic populace.

  5. they caould also ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    use a Wiki to allow laws to be written

  6. The Royal Channel by stevegee58 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Actually, the British Monarchy has a very nice web site at http://www.royal.gov.uk/ and a YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/theroyalchannel.

  7. Re:"We lie cheat and steal... " by stranger_to_himself · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Well since Lords are appointed for life what ends up happening is that the current government is watched over by the Lords appointed by the last few governments. It works pretty well. Many of the Lords appointed by the current government are seen in the House as sock puppets and don't get a lot of respect.

  8. Re:House of Lords Rap by hey! · · Score: 3, Interesting

    When Britain really ruled the waves,
    In good Queen Bess's day,
    The House of Lords made no pretense,
    to intellectual eminence,
    or scholarship sublime.
    Yet Britan won its proudes bays,
    in good Queen Bess's days.

    When Wellington thrashed Bonaparte,
    as every child can tell,
    the House of Lords throughout the war,
    did nothing in par-tic-ular.
    Yet Britain set the world ablaze,
    in Good King George's glorious days.

    And while the House of Peers withholds,
    its legislative hand,
    And noble statement do not itch,
    to interfere in matters which,
    They do not understand,
    As bright will shine Great Britains rays,
    as in King George's glorious days!

    --
    Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
  9. A little girl is losing faith in democracy! by damburger · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Or rather, I wouldn't be surprised if one did.

    The unelected house of lords appears to be contributing most of the good governance of the UK whilst the elected house of commons is contributing most of the crappy stuff.

    If we can't fix our system of government (the main probably being we lack a proper head of state, leaving the head of government with excessive powers) then how can we convince younger generations that democracy is worth it?

    --
    If we can put a man on the moon, why can't we shoot people for Apollo-related non-sequiturs?
    1. Re:A little girl is losing faith in democracy! by Angostura · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I'd say the problem isn't anything to do with the head of state, it's the fact that the legislature cannot hold the executive to account in a meaningful way on most occasions. Indeed, the Commons is often bypassed as the government makes up policy as it goes along.

      Personally, I think a strengthening of the Select Committee system is the way to go.... but that doesn't sound very sexy, does it?

      OK, I also have a mad proposal for reform of The House of Lords, that I think would help, but would never be accepted:

      Members of House of Lords would be appointed from the ranks of the Commons - from retiring or ousted MPs (so far, that's pretty much like the existing system, with the party leader choosing his/her favourites). However here is the difference - MPs would vote on appointees and would only be able to vote for people on the opposing benches. So you wouldn't be able to vote for someone from your own party.

      What's the point? I believe this system would tend to reward the free-thinkers and individualists who tended to rebel from the party line. It would also reward the people whose expertise was so obvious that even their political opponents recognised it.

      Ah well, I can dream, can't I?