Whose Conversation? Engaging the Public in Authentic Polylogue.

According to the recently conducted Oxford Internet Survey, most British people (61%) say that they frequently (22%) or every so often (39%) discuss politics with friends or family. But very few of them ever discuss politics with the people they elect to represent their interests and preferences. The task for politicians is to demonstrate that they really believe that what the public says matters and to prove to the public that their engagement in polylogical, consultative exercises can have meaningful effects.