Monday
Aug132007
What's the point?
Monday, August 13, 2007 
I've lost count of the number of times I have been asked to publicise a petition on the Downing Street website. I'm not unsympathetic, but I refuse to play Downing Street's patronising little game. I am pleased to read that Iain Dale (left), Britain's premier political blogger (and a friend of The Free Society), feels the same - see HERE ('The pointlessness of No 10 petitions', Monday August 13).
in Protest
Protest
Reader Comments (3)
Last week I received, yet again, a response from HMG, stating, as usual, the reason why the petition signed by 60.1 million people (well it might as well have) had been turned down, etc., etc.
I must have received at least a dozen of this same explanation regarding different petitions over the past couple of years, that I almost accepted it with even questioning it. Then I saw a section on their website on facts and figures, which I quickly searched through, in the hope of finding out some interesting facts. There were no needles in their and no sign of the Loch Ness Monster either, in other words, their list of facts and figures was as useless as signing a petition of the Downing Street Petition website.
Never one to give up easily, I sent them an email. I asked one simple question regarding facts and figures. The question was "how many petitions have actually influenced Government policy, or changed it in any way?"
Maybe there has been so many that they are still trying to add them all up, as I sent that email nine days ago, and I still haven't received any reply from them.
Simon, since you have seen fit to cordon the smoking issue off into a corner (which I have only just found after a number of weeks), I have decided that I will no longer contribute to this site.
I cannot comprehend why promoting an imac should take 'centre stage' over the fact that the elderly, infirm, war veterans and 13 million or so hard working people have had their liberties eroded by a self-proclaimed 'confidence trick' from a 'charity' that is now dictating public policy.
With this act of subordinating the issue to the sidelines, you have left me totally baffled as to the ethos of this site.
Farewell all.
What do you know, I have actually received a reply from HM Gov regarding the email I sent them where I enquired (see above) what were the figures of petitions which actually influenced Government policy. This was their reply:
Dear Peter
Thank you for your email.
Petitions have long been handed in to Downing Street, but e-petitions are an important innovation in modernising the process. The e-petitions system was set up to allow members of the public to easily express views directly to the Prime Minister's Office, and in turn enable us to more easily communicate with petitioners about issues raised, in a fast, easy to use manner.
E-petitions facilitate dialogue between Government and the public on policy creation, and help to inform policy makers of the public's feelings. They are part of a range of communication and public consultation.
To single out e-petitions from other measures would simply not be possible. E-petitions allow us to listen to public concerns, and ensure that the relevant policy is made available.
Downing Street Webteam
Well that was very informative wasn't it.....I don't think! Please call an early election Gordon....please...