The prevalence of social media in today’s world has meant that for the first time, the political election is more interactive than ever before, bringing with it the interest of a whole generation which has traditionally been disinterested in politics.
The launch this year of ‘digital debates’ means that Facebook and YouTube users can now ask questions of the party leaders via the social media channels for the first time, in a move that aims to attract more younger people and engage them in politics and the election itself.
A Facebook application was set up this week that enables people to either write or film questions for the three main party leaders, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg. Once these are submitted, users of the site will then be able to vote on which questions they most want to see put forward to the leaders.
The questions will be on five topics: the economy, health and education, foreign policy, law and order and a miscellaneous category. Two questions from each category that receive the most votes will be put to the leaders. Video responses from each of the party leaders will then be produced and posted on to YouTube and Facebook on 28 April.
It is hoped that the open-to-all nature of social media will mean that the questions will be different to and more unusual than those that will be proposed on the scheduled live televised debates.
The use of social media in the election in this way does certainly allow more people than ever to have the chance of having their questions answered, and takes the spotlight and control away from the journalists and publications that have traditionally held all of the power in this way.
It may also be one of the most successful attempts ever to engage a demographic traditionally apathetic to voting by placing it onto a platform they enjoy using and interacting with every day. It highlights in particular the validity and importance of social media in today’s society, forcing society to stand up and acknowledge what an already ingrained part of important communication and societal activity this medium has already become.
Whether social media participants’ particular political preferences are indicative of Britain’s voting intentions themselves is yet untold, but nevertheless, a quick scour of each party’s fan page shows the Conservatives in the lead with 41,262 fans. Labour follow with 19,445 fans, and the Liberal Democrats 17,947.
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Hi,
I thought you might be interested in a new Facebook application we’re just launching called “Float your Vote” at http://www.floatyourvote.com.
Float Your Vote allows individuals and brands to create their own “campaign” based on any issue, be it serious or frivolous (e.g. “Extend the London Congestion Charge Zone”, “Save BBC Radio 6 Music”, “Bring back free milk for all school children” etc), and then allows people to vote and comment on the campaign. The application also gives political parties the opportunity to respond to these campaigns and offer their own opinions on particular issues.
As well as allowing individual Facebook users to create their own campaigns and invite their friends and political parties to comment, Float Your Vote is also a platform for commercial brands, charities, pressure groups and other activist organisations to promote and gain support for their own agendas.
When an individual or organisation creates a new campaign, it appears in their Facebook newsfeed. Campaigns then spread virally as people vote and comment on them and encourage their friends to do the same.
The main political parties are being invited to post their own official responses to campaigns.
The application is launching featuring a number of major charities, including the NSPCC and Save the Children.
Diana Sutton, Head of Public Affairs and Campaigns at NSPCC commenting on the application said; “We think Float Your Vote is a great way to spread the word about our “I Stand For Children” campaign, which is about getting every candidate in the upcoming general election to make child protection a top priority.”
Branislava Milosevic, Head of Multimedia at Save the Children, commenting on Float Your Vote said; “We want the next government to make ending child poverty at home and abroad a priority. We’re hoping that, along with all our other activity, having our campaign on Float Your Vote will play an important role in garnering public support for our cause and influencing policy.”
If you have any questions I’d be happy to answer them. You can find Float your Vote at http://www.floatyourvote.com.
Grit
Grit Kuehle
Float your Vote