Government dossiers are usually of the highest confidentiality and of utmost importance. However, one that has snuck out of Whitehall recently, according to the Daily Mail at least, is quite the opposite. Government ministers have been getting advice on how to use Twitter.
Recognising the ballooning popularity of the social media site, some Internet savvy politicians have already jumped on the Twitter bandwagon. This 20 page guide though is designed to encourage those who haven’t yet taken up the mantle and give them advice on what to write, who to follow and how to interact.
Just as with the Business 101 guide introduced by Twitter, this is very much designed to give those who don’t perhaps have the understanding of what to do a better idea. Clearly it is important for the politicians to engage with the electorate, and what better platform? With only 140 characters to play with some may struggle to answer questions in full though, plus MPs are encouraged to adhere to a set of codes, including only following those who have invited you/already followed.
Hopefully the uptake will be widespread and politicians will begin tweeting about the exclusive stories from the halls of Westminster and local constituency issues. However, what this does once again highlight is just how popular Twitter is becoming and how potentially powerful it is as a tool for communication and marketing.
What do you think?