Perception or Reality: How MPs Believe the Internet Helps Them Win Votes

The orthodox view is that neither the election campaign nor the activities of local Members of Parliament (MPs) has any effect on the final outcome of UK general elections. However, more recent research has suggested that both the election campaign and the activity of individual MPs has an effect. This article seeks to ascertain whether MPs believe that the Internet can help them gain votes. Data were collected from a questionnaire and interviews with MPs. The findings suggest that MPs believe that a Web site has an indirect rather than direct impact on voting behavior. However, MPs believe that regular e-newsletters between elections may increase their vote and that the use of private e-mail lists during an election helps mobilize supporters and volunteers.