Mike Crockart MP gets on the App Map (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh Liberal Democrats)

Edinburgh East and Musselburgh Liberal Democrats <Charles.Cavaye@talktalk.net>

Mike Crockart MP gets on the App Map

July 3, 2010 6:35 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Edinburgh West MP Mike Crockart is today leading the way in the digital democracy revolution by being one of the first MPs in the country to sign up to the free new MyMp app which allows constituents to get closer to his work in Edinburgh West.

The new MyMp app, which was designed by Public Zone and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), aims to create better dialogue between MPs and the public. At the touch of a button, constituents in Edinburgh West can now provide Mike Crockart MP with their views on local issues, email Mike, read about what he has been doing and keep up with Edinburgh West new, all of which makes Mike' work more accessible.

After a successful trial run earlier this year, all MPs are being encouraged to sign up and the app has already received cross-party support. Edinburgh West constituents can download the app free from today and track Mike's work.

Commenting on the app, Mike said:

"People are rightly no longer satisfied by only hearing from their MPs at elections or through annual reports. I'm excited to be part of the launch of the MyMP app which will offer a far greater level of interactivity and allow me to develop relationships with many more of my constituents."

The technology is currently free to MPs who do not need to own an iPhone to use the app. MPs simply need to download information through a personalised website created for them by Public Zone which is then transmitted to the app.

Jonathan Kestenbaum, Chief Executive of NESTA, said:

"With public trust in politic at an all time low, mobile technology is a simple way of making politics more accessible and interactive. Digital democracy is an imaginative new way of engaging citizens."

Jonathan Simmons, Managing Director of Public Zone, added:

"As representatives, MPs need to utilise all the tools available to them to engage individual constituents. MyMP allows MPs to canvass constituents on the issues they care about."

To download the app for free, visit www.my-mp.org.uk