An MP's 'constituent only' website

Its interesting to note that on a day when the Assembly is launching its e-petitions website, web casting and e-forum web page that I have fallen upon the information provided by a fellow blogger, Matt Wardman (via twitter... It is useful!) that an MP only allows her constituents to read her website. Everyone who is in her constituency must log in to be able to read about her work.

On a day when we are trying to show that elected politicians are responding to the needs of the people of Wales, and are engaging with constituents in new ways, Westminster seem to be doing the opposite!

The MP in question is Joan Ryan who represents Enfield North. Here is what she puts on her home page to 'welcome' new readers-

This is a special website just for my constituents.

It allows you to let me know your views and to find out what mine are and, importantly, what I'm doing about them. Click on the button on the right to find out more about this site. You have to register to use this site, but that's only so I can make sure that I am listening to the right people. It's all explained if you click on that button.

And you can click on the other button on the right to check if you live in my constituency. If you live here too you can then register and start using my site to tell me your views. If you're already registered, just log in and let me know what you think.

Now I am all for Joan Ryan representing her constituents as effectively as possible, we all strive for that, but surely if somebody from outside her area is interested in the work that she does, if she has any special areas of interest for example- how is stopping them from accessing her website of any use?

The reason why many people contact me, for example, with regards to eating disorders is that I say that I am working on this agenda on my blog, and so invite anyone to contribute to the discussion. It adds to the debate, and shows the level of interest outside South Wales West for what I am doing.

You can contact Joan Ryan from the website, and read about her briefly, but I have to say that confining her readership is far from inviting, and does not convey a positive image of politicians supposed attempt at re-connecting or communicating with the electorate at large.