General election has engaged broadband users like never before

A recent poll has shown how broadband users in the UK have become digitally engaged with the general election, resulting in the 2010 election being dubbed the first UK ‘Digital Election’.

In the past politicians that have been campaigning in the run up to a general election have used a range of methods to get their messages across to the public, such as radio, television, and print media. However, this year things have been very different, with the three leading political parties taking the more modern approach of using the Internet to get their messages across.

The public have responded well to this, and according to recent polls have become more engaged with the election online, resulting in the 2010 election being dubbed the UK’s first ‘Digital Election’. The data comes from a survey carried out by YouGov on behalf of network and broadband provider Orange.

Social networking has become very popular amongst younger broadband users, and the survey showed that around twenty five percent of social networkers had commented on the general election this year. The data also showed that fifty seven percent of adults had followed the election campaigns or read about the elections online this year.

One official said: “While the TV debates have had a major impact on the election, the internet has also amplified the buzz around it. People aren’t taking what the leaders say at face value – they want more. Nick Clegg has been the big winner, with surges of post-debate interest and Clegg-mania being witnessed in the media and online. With the majority of people either informing themselves or participating in politics online, digital media is playing its own part in the story of the 2010 General Election.”

Source – Net Imperative