Garth's World
Garth Turner, Maverick of Parliament?
Garth Turner's experiment at direct democracy through his website and daily weblog is unique to say the least. Garth understands that the medium is the message. He has three constituents, really. He has his riding, and e-supporters. He has the national media's attention every time he butts heads with the PMO squares. He has his fellow MP's, who he probably spends less time talking to than CTV Newsnet.
Garth Turner may yet revolutionize the role of the MP, if only by showing to what extent an independent minded member of Parliament can hijack national media attention. Truly, if all MPs did what he is doing, the resulting din would drown itself out. However, some elements of Garth's continuing 1993 leadership campaign (somebody should tell him that he lost, 1-2-3 not it) are definitely inspired. Using the internet is not new. Using an interactive website is probably not even new. However, blogging his experience as an MP in a very open and regular way is definitely unique. This presents an unprecedented research tool for political scientists. When we ask ourselves: "What was the sky like when Garth drove to Ottawa for the opening of the 39th Parliament?". No seriously though, if more MPs begin recording their activities and thoughts in such a way, this will create an extroardinary social science research database.
Clearly, Garth has got a lot of time on his ambitious hands. He definitely needs a job on the Hill. A committee chair would allow him to express his rambuctiousness under adult supervision. Parliament hasn't been in session yet, so it remains to be seen if Garth will primarily use his office as an internet website management and customer service department, or whether he will actually take parliamentary duties seriously.
Increasing the power of the presently disenfranchised Member of Parliament is hot. However, this is power that must be given back to the members in their parliamentary role. It is entirely natural that stifled MPs with unbridled enthusiasm will gravitate to high speed low drag outlets like webmania (let he who is without blog, cast the first stone). Yet the true systemic and structural problem is the lack of parliamentary initiative allowed to the individual MP. Rules limiting debate. Rules governing the asking of questions in QP. Rules preventing the consideration of private bills without undue process. These are the shackles on the initiative of the enterprising parliamentarian. Being the owner of a parliamentary Drudge report, with credentials, is cool. However, it is not the true task of a parliamentarian. Granted, parliamentarism is a dead art, killed by House of Commons standing rules. So, the only solution I see to this problem is for Garth's constituents to report to him, through focus groups and internet chat rooms, that the standing rules of the House of Commons need to be reformed. Then Garth, having consulted the oracle, to the cheers of the chorus, may propose reforms. Why do I doubt that that will happen?
If only all blogging had a pension plan.
Garth Turner's experiment at direct democracy through his website and daily weblog is unique to say the least. Garth understands that the medium is the message. He has three constituents, really. He has his riding, and e-supporters. He has the national media's attention every time he butts heads with the PMO squares. He has his fellow MP's, who he probably spends less time talking to than CTV Newsnet.
Garth Turner may yet revolutionize the role of the MP, if only by showing to what extent an independent minded member of Parliament can hijack national media attention. Truly, if all MPs did what he is doing, the resulting din would drown itself out. However, some elements of Garth's continuing 1993 leadership campaign (somebody should tell him that he lost, 1-2-3 not it) are definitely inspired. Using the internet is not new. Using an interactive website is probably not even new. However, blogging his experience as an MP in a very open and regular way is definitely unique. This presents an unprecedented research tool for political scientists. When we ask ourselves: "What was the sky like when Garth drove to Ottawa for the opening of the 39th Parliament?". No seriously though, if more MPs begin recording their activities and thoughts in such a way, this will create an extroardinary social science research database.
Clearly, Garth has got a lot of time on his ambitious hands. He definitely needs a job on the Hill. A committee chair would allow him to express his rambuctiousness under adult supervision. Parliament hasn't been in session yet, so it remains to be seen if Garth will primarily use his office as an internet website management and customer service department, or whether he will actually take parliamentary duties seriously.
Increasing the power of the presently disenfranchised Member of Parliament is hot. However, this is power that must be given back to the members in their parliamentary role. It is entirely natural that stifled MPs with unbridled enthusiasm will gravitate to high speed low drag outlets like webmania (let he who is without blog, cast the first stone). Yet the true systemic and structural problem is the lack of parliamentary initiative allowed to the individual MP. Rules limiting debate. Rules governing the asking of questions in QP. Rules preventing the consideration of private bills without undue process. These are the shackles on the initiative of the enterprising parliamentarian. Being the owner of a parliamentary Drudge report, with credentials, is cool. However, it is not the true task of a parliamentarian. Granted, parliamentarism is a dead art, killed by House of Commons standing rules. So, the only solution I see to this problem is for Garth's constituents to report to him, through focus groups and internet chat rooms, that the standing rules of the House of Commons need to be reformed. Then Garth, having consulted the oracle, to the cheers of the chorus, may propose reforms. Why do I doubt that that will happen?
If only all blogging had a pension plan.
posted by Lt Smash at 10:28 PM
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