Politicians Caught Tweeting During Prime Minister's Questions

Strategic Insights -

Labour MPs Tom Harris and Eric Joyce and LibDem Jo Swinson were caught updating their Twitter followers during Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons, despite mobile phones being banned in the House. The MPs used their mobiles to post messages in the middle of robust exchanges between Gordon Brown and David Cameron, showing that politicians are increasingly using social media to engage with the public.

Key Takeaways:

  • Three Scottish MPs (Tom Harris, Eric Joyce, and Jo Swinson) were found to be tweeting during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) in the Commons.
  • The MPs used their mobile phones to post messages, despite them being banned in the House, except in a few areas.
  • Harris posted 13 messages from the Commons during PMQs, while Swinson tweeted six times and Joyce four times.
  • Twitter has become one of the most widely-used social networking sites, with even the Prime Minister's office running an 'official Twitter' account.
  • The use of Twitter by MPs has been met with criticism, with one user saying: "Should you be twittering when you're in the House? Not very respectful to the individual speaking."
  • MPs, such as Harris and Swinson, see Twitter as a tool for engaging with the public and providing a different perspective on politics.
  • Labour MP Tom Harris defended the use of Twitter, saying: "For me, it's about engaging with people and letting them know MPs are listening to them."

Statistics:

  • 13: The number of tweets posted by Labour MP Tom Harris during PMQs.
  • 6: The number of tweets posted by LibDem MP Jo Swinson during PMQs.
  • 4: The number of tweets posted by Labour MP Eric Joyce during PMQs.
  • 2006: The year Twitter was launched.
  • 10 Downing Street: The location of the Prime Minster's office, which runs an 'official Twitter' account.

Sources:

  • "Twittering MPs face criticism as they use phones to post messages during PMQs" by [Author's Name] in [Publication Name], [Publication Date] (The source material does not provide this information, so it's not included).
  • The Scotsman: "Twittering MPs face criticism" (no publication date provided).
  • The Times: "Twittering MPs faced criticism" (no publication date provided).
  • This is a News Article.