a working class hero is something to be

Who would you say is the most new-media savvy politician in the UK?  My money is on John Prescott (JP) the former deputy leader of New Labour, who retired from the House of Commons in 2007.  He may no longer occupy a  central place in the physical political sphere, but he is leading the way in showing others how to maintain an involvement and influence in the virtual political space.

He is an active contributor to Facebook, claiming 1800 friends on the site, and is using it as a campaigning device.  It is here that he is petitioning against the bonuses being paid out to senior employees by the Royal Bank of Scotland.  He is also a founder member of the campaign to get New Labout re-elected for the forth time and has a Facebook group supporting this.  

But it was on Friday last week that I was most impressed by his use of new media.  His quick reaction to a breaking story gave him national coverage in the traditional media.  An environmental campaigner had thrown green coloured custard at Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary, as he set off for a low-carbon conference in London.   This was reported on the Today programme on BBC Radio Four on Friday morning and it featured a comment about this incident from JP.  The programme had not contacted him.  He had posted this on YouTube and their editors had picked it up. 

Perhaps they are among the 1300 people who follow him on Twitter.  He announced at 5.11 AM (just about the time the Today editors were finalising the stories for the programme?):

"I've just posted a vlog on Peter and today's attack - they should arrest her"

So there we have it.  He might be retired and drawing a pension.  But by actively using Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, he is able to retain an influence in politics.  An influence noticed by the Today programme and the much-sought-after younger voters.

If you think another UK politician is a worthy contender for the tile of most new-media savvy politician, I would like to hear from you.

Note
The  image is courtesy of  Steve Punter on Flickr at  http://www.flickr.com/photos/spunter/639740500/sizes/m/