The Liberal Democrats head the election pack in providing online answers to voters, both on party and individual parliamentary candidate sites. Labour comes off worst of all the major parties, unable to provide answers to 43 per cent of common voter questions online, according to research carried out by technology marketing company, Rainier PR into party and candidate web sites.
The survey shows the Conservatives close behind the Liberal Democrats, with Plaid Cymru performing worst of all, behind even the Monster Raving Loony Party. Of individual candidates surveyed, Ann Widdecombe easily outscored her party leader Michael Howard, answering 100 per cent of questions to his 40 per cent. Several high profile Labour candidates, including Margaret Beckett and Stephen Byers, failed to answer any basic questions at all online.
Half of the Liberal Democrat candidates surveyed, including party leader Charles Kennedy, successfully answered all questions. Tony Blair was not surveyed as he does not have an individual web site. Candidate sites surveyed were listed on the House of Commons web site http://www.parliament.uk/
28-Apr-2005
