Information Society Watch

June 6, 2007, BBC News Service

In a move that could have a far reaching impact on the way democracies function, Britan's Leader of the Opposition, David Cameron has suggested that suggested that online petitions could be used to decide the subject of debates and votes in Parliament under a Tory government. While there are those who are skeptical, the party spokesperson said that there would be safeguards to prevent trivial issues that did not warrant debate. The most important point of this story is the fact that it signals a fundamental shift in the way we see governments function and offers a direct way of citizen participation and involvement in governance issues.

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