Lib-Dems move into 21st Century with Political Blogs

3.23.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 22nd Jul 2008

Lib-Dems are welcoming changes to the Council website which incorporate the inclusion of links to Councillors personal blogs and websites for the first time.

Lib-Dem Councillors have been leading a move towards more modern methods of communication by embracing internet blogging. Web logs or "blogs" are a fresh, practical and innovative way of keeping residents up to date on Council activities and can now be found on the webpage for contacting Councillors here.

Lib-Dems in BANES have seized the initiative in using this valuable resource to enhance Councillors' democratic links with the public. So far over two thirds of Lib-Dem Councillors have set up their own blog or website giving their individual views on recent events and local issues.

Councillor Tim Ball (Liberal Democrat, Twerton) commented:

"I'm glad the Council has made these changes. I think it would be great if even more people set up blogs and websites and there was more engagement in the local decision making process.

"I'd love to see more public bodies and Councillors using the internet for consulting residents.

"Councillor Nicholas Coombes (Liberal Democrat, Bathwick) added:

"People are starting to use the internet as a first choice for information, especially of my generation. I think that it's great that the council has finally recognised that blogs and personal web pages are a really useful way for Councillors to keep in touch with residents.

Councillor Nicholas Coombes

"They (blogs) provide Councillors with a rare chance to give their own personal and un-edited opinions. We've already had a great deal of interest, my website was visited 4394 times last month alone and we're already up on that figure this month with over 5000 hits. Blogs are an incredibly popular new media form and I'm glad that they are now being more widely used by Councillors"