This week we launched a new publication: Lessons from election 2010: local politics and social media, with our local election partners Local Government Leadership’s 21st Century Councillor programme, Local Government Chronicle and the Local Government Information Unit

“Social media will continue to be a powerful force and one that local government will need to understand and use. Ignoring it is not an option: just as the printed word or video, it would be a mistake to exclude digital and social media.”

Foreword from Emma Maier, Local Government Chronicle

The publication looks at the role the web played in the recent election, how politics is adapting to social media use and the opportunities for local government to improve conversations with those they represent.

“We need to be honest with each other and closer to our communities.”

Councillor Claire Kober

The launch ran alongside the Local Government Leadership’s annual debate – ‘Local Politics: What’s the next big thing?’ Where these issues were also raised from the panel. The debate predominantly covered the rapid changes occurring at present, and the importance of making the most of a crisis that could in fact become a once in a lifetime opportunity to make the case for localism. It was argued that to meet this challenge councillors will have to expand their role and innovate to become more effective and have more open conversations with their communities.

The discussions continued throughout the summer reception that followed, which was held at Westminster Abbey and attended by Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Mr Pickles strengthened the idea of exploring new practice by claiming that central government “want to see what you are capable of by allowing you to innovate.” We think that tools like TweetyHall can help innovative practice take off, and it was great to find out more  about councillors’ experiences with social media during the election and how they will use it in the future to become more effective and engaging.

You can download the publication here, which includes a wide variety of contributions from those within the world of local politics. Enjoy!