*** Democracies Online Newswire - http://www.e-democracy.org/do ***
Big interview in the Guardian today: http://www.guardian.co.uk/internetnews/story/0,7369,628776,00.html Cook plans to make UK first to vote on internet Jackie Ashley Monday January 7, 2002 The Guardian Britain will become the first country in the world to use the internet for voting, as part of radical changes to the political system, Robin Cook, the leader of the Commons, has told the Guardian. In an interview, Mr Cook is scathing about the culture of parliament, describing its procedures as antique, ludicrous, Dickensian and as ritualised as 18th-century duelling. Mr Cook intends to "enfranchise" those who want to vote online as a way of drawing back under-40s to the democratic process. Pilot schemes for local elections begin in the spring, with a chance that voting by internet could be in place for the next general election, though Mr Cook admits that that is a "tough call". Among his other plans is the use of the web for daily feedback to parliament on policy choices before MPs. He also confirms his determination to press ahead with increased powers and greater independence for select committees, despite the worries of Whitehall officials, the Speaker, Michael Martin, and some fellow cabinet ministers. - end clip - Follow-up: http://politics.guardian.co.uk/commons/story/0,9061,629072,00.html 3pm update Reformers sceptical of online voting Matthew Tempest, political correspondent Monday January 7, 2002 Immediate concern was cast today over plans by the leader of the Commons, Robin Cook, to bring in voting on the internet in time for the next election. ... BBC coverage: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/in_depth/sci_tech/2000/dot_life/ newsid_1746000/1746902.stm (paste on one line) E-voting: A load of old ballots? The UK should be the first country to hold its general elections online, says Robin Cook, leader of the Commons. But BBC News Online's technology correspondent Mark Ward says it is not going to be easy.
