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Kavanagh et al: British Politics 5e

Chapter 23

New forms of participation

The e-Government Unit
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/e-government/
The e-Government Unit can be found on the web pages of the Cabinet Office and is dedicated to using computer technology to improve the quality and efficiency of government services. You can find further details of the current government's plans for e-government here in addition to other relevant bodies and organisations in Whitehall and beyond.

The Hansard Society – e-Democracy programme
www.hansardsociety.org.uk/programmes/e-democracy
As discussed in the text of this chapter, the Hansard Society's e-Democracy programme aims to "develop innovative ways of using new interactive technologies to reconnect Parliament with citizens and encourage participation in the democratic process". The site provides regularly updated news related to this aspiration. Of particular interest is the Digital Dialogues project, run in conjunction with the Department of Constitutional Affairs which explores using new technology to enhance consultation in the policy process. Also useful are the publications (which you can download) on e-Democracy. You can access both of these sets of resources via the links on the left-hand side of the web page.

e-Democracy Update
simoncollister.typepad.com/edemocracyupdate/
A useful blog maintained by Simon Collister which draws together news, comment and analysis on e-Democracy initiatives in the UK. As is to be expected, the site also provides a comprehensive list of links to other blogs, particularly those maintained by elected representatives.

The Electoral Commission: Referendums
www.electoralcommission.org.uk/referendums/
The Electoral Commission has a number of responsibilities in connection with the running of referendum campaigns. You can find details of these responsibilities at this section of the Electoral Commission site in addition to detailed information about recent referendums, including the North East Assembly Referendum. The site also includes details of referendums held prior to the Electoral Commission's foundation, including the 1975 referendum on continued membership of the EEC and the St David's day referendums in Scotland and Wales in 1979.

Jury World
www.juryworld.com/
An attractively designed site which provides information on the principles and practicalities involved in citizen's juries. You can find links to citizen's juries which have completed their deliberations and links to media reports on juries, both completed and those which are still underway.