David Miliband, the MP who shook up Whitehall by starting a blog, has launched an online forum where the public can discuss the future of local government. localvisionforum.net is a part of the Department of Constitutional Affairs’ ‘Digital Dialogues’ pilot, and is moderated by the Hansard Society.

“The government wants the views expressed on the site to inform the local government White Paper it is expected to publish in the summer,” reported e-Gov Monitor.

That’s all well and good, but is would seem that only views of a certain calibre are welcome. A post from “The Moderator” advised participants on the best way to write a post and to include evidence to back up their claims:

Hello,

There are some very interesting posts coming through. The diversity of experiences is something I’m sure that the ODPM will find useful.

I wanted to ask that before making posts, participants carefully consider their arguments. Be mindful of backing claims up with evidence.

Keeping posts succinct is also advisable in terms of readability and the impact of your point. At the start of each post summarise your point, then expand on the detail, at the close, try to give a ‘lead on’ question to allow other participants to respond.

Ross Ferguson*
Hansard Society

And if that wasn’t bad enough, the unidentified “Consultation Team” for the forum makes such a thrashing comment in response to general debate regarding Local Strategic Partnerships, that I’m surprised it didn’t shut down debate entirely:

Your sweeping statement about LSPs does not do justice to them. Do you really think that having local service providers working in isolation and not joining up at all is a total waste of time and money? Let’s have more constructive contributions to the forum please.

The consultation team should be grateful that people are making comments at all. Strategic planning is hardly at the top of most internet users favourite discussion topics. Forum participants make comments because they feel they will be listened to. The comments from the moderator and the consultation team, while perhaps correct, do little to create an atmosphere of “we’re hear to listen to your views”.

In comparison, the EC’s Debate Europe forum is more a spirited site. EU citizens are going wild over it, making hundreds of comments. The moderator is posting helpful answers to questions.

* Editor’s note: Ross Ferguson is one of the wise and experienced members of this year’s New Media Awards judging panel. Wait ’til the other judges hear about this. . .