Tony distances himself from debate
The No ten forums are closing. In a message from Tony Blair he states:
Over the last year, the discussion forums on the No 10 website have proved a fascinating insight into the issues that concern you most.
he continues:
The discussions have always been lively and the range of subjects explored extremely wide.
I hope now that the discussion forums are being moved to a new home on the Citizen Portal, that you'll continue to use the opportunity to make your views known and to enter into debate.
It isn't possible to transfer the large volume of old postings but my office is investigating depositing the archive in the Public Records Office.
Cynics would offer the view, that to have the No 10 website hosting such lively debate with an upcoming election, was a hostage to fortune.
In terms of debate the exercise has been somewhat futile. With thousands of posts there has not been one recorded instance of a Minister responding to the "issues that concern you most".
Related links
Message from Tony on the No 10 website
Where your tax will go UKTECH, 28/7/2000
No 10 Web site; IR 35 in the Top Ten UKTECH, 14/7/2000
Alternative, searchable archives of all No 10 posts