I signed this pledge — the first time I have ever signed a pledge at PledgeBank. You see, I think TheyWorkForYou.com is a pretty nifty website.

So I guess I’d better write a letter then!

Dear Mr Straw,

I am writing in response to comments you made in the House of Commons on 20th July 2006 about the website TheyWorkForYou.com, which you criticised because it “measure[s] Members’ work in quantitative rather than qualitative terms”.

While it is true that TheyWorkForYou.com provides an at-a-glance ‘numerology’ of MPs’ work, this section is preceded by a clear disclaimer: “Please note that numbers do not measure quality. Also, MPs and Lords may do other things not currently covered by this site.”

Furthermore, TheyWorkForYou.com provides a whole host of useful services such as a record of MPs’ voting history. The website also provides an accessible, easy-to-use version of Hansard which members of the public can annotate (thereby enhancing the debate that is essential in a democracy). In short, TheyWorkForYou.com allows voters to keep track of how their MPs are representing them in Parliament.

It is disappointing to see an elected representative singling out such a valuable resource for criticism. Websites such as TheyWorkForYou.com, The Public Whip, and WriteToThem.com are ever-valuable resources in the internet age. They enhance democracy, and I would go as far as to say that they are necessary for as long as the Government’s own websites and Parliament.uk remain as inadequate as they infamously are.

Incidentally, this is the first time I have felt concerned enough to sign a pledge on another useful website, PledgeBank.com. I should also make clear that I am in no way associated with TheyWorkForYou.com or MySociety, apart from the fact that I use their websites.