Idea to reconnect people to politics (Starting with UKIP)

mkpdavies · 18-07-2006, 11:40 AM

I work for a huge computer company that provides and maintains systems and software + all the support stuff that surrounds it. When people have problems with their kit, software or just have a question, they log a call with us, with a severity they feel it is at and then that call get's routed to the best person able to deal with it.

UKIP doesn't have MP's for people to write to and to be honest, MP's are not the right people to deal with problems anyway.

So, how is this for an idea.

UKIP starts up it's very own call centre, where people can phone in with their problems. Say someone was having problems with their local police. They could log a call with a central UKIP database (say Lexdrum house) and be given a unique call number. The people logging that call, would then pass this on to the most relevant people to help. This may be an MEP, Councilor, or even just an activist. Some sort of call queue system could be used, with email notifications set up to alert the people who can help. Of ourse this would need volunteers too, but if UKIP are serious about becoming the peoples champion, is this not a good way to do it?

Once this call logging system is in place, the problems could then be used as leads for the press team to create stories, or for the party to spot trends and create pro-active policies to combat problems.

All this could be published on a web site (with permission of course) and UKIP will be seen to care, while actually getting some good stuff out of it for the party.

Now the sticking point is getting volunteers and a bit of cash to get it going, but given the potential benefits, I would hope every branch would agree to help in some way, with the MEP's and their staff being expected to help.

Good idea? Or is David Noakes right that the use of compooters is evil and should be quoshed.

eublues · 02-08-2006, 10:08 PM

Great idea - would be a truely novel approach by a political party - but would need very informed personnel involved to ensure people got expert advice or referral on.

This facility wouldn't have to be just by computer (why not also by phone or letter?)

mkpdavies · 02-08-2006, 10:25 PM

Yep, I'm just giving a skeleton of an idea here.

The idea is a good Customer Relationship Managment system, could revolutionise the way UKIP interacts with the public and it's members. I'm sure the old parties probably have them already, even if they don't used them as suggested above.

If well designed from the beginning and with the right training, you would have a strong plus point against the UKIP brand. The nature of it would mean the calls would be routed to the people best placed to help, whether that be MEP, councilor, or just a member with a certain skill set.

Independent UKIP · 03-08-2006, 01:43 AM

A nice idea in theory but wouldn't it be overwhelmed by people with unreasonable concerns who are sometimes also known as nutters and might they not overwhelm the system? And by reacting to some of their submissions when MPs and Councils/Councillors have lengthy experience in dealing with these people might that not potentially bring UKIP into disrepute, humiliation and even legal difficulties?

Also it might be doable in Woking but probably not in Glasgow so the geography would have to be pretty limited. I can think of several other difficulties but won't mention them now. What might be of value is a geographically limited trial such as in Woking which has a comparatively large UKIP activist base in my opinion.

kernow · 03-08-2006, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Independent UKIP

What might be of value is a geographically limited trial such as in Woking which has a comparatively large UKIP activist base in my opinion.

Good idea why not give it a try!

prober · 04-08-2006, 06:48 PM

M Davies idea is actually using technology in adopting one of the key changes needed for moving UKIP from an election time protest party to a political movement that has long term plans to be taken seriously , have public respect and be electable . His idea is therefore alien to current corporate " 1st day of the Somme at elections " corporate thinking of what UKIP should be doing.

Practicalities can be ironed out, eg carefully launch locally in phases where branches want to make an impact at local elections, and in making the facility know restrict it to manageable fields within UKIP's interest areas such as " are you the victim of political correctness, burocracy, or official unfairness ? call UKIP" . It may need to be start up funded from member contributions ( in which case it could be off line from the UKIP leadership) .

Sure there are practical issues but his vision is there.

extra ordinary · 04-08-2006, 10:55 PM

I love this idea.

I imagine the details couId be tuned to reduce the possibilty of legal action and a way found to deter most of those that have sadly lost their marbles from contacting ukip.

the concept of the average person having a listening political ear at his or her disposal is well worthwhile.

sometimes using your MP or councillor as first port of call seems a big step to take without talking things through with someone first.

hope this idea can be checked into and acted on.

C_steam · 05-08-2006, 07:31 AM

Simply just a fine idea.

eublues · 05-08-2006, 10:52 AM

Quote:

A nice idea in theory but wouldn't it be overwhelmed by people with unreasonable concerns ...

Sadly I doubt if it would be overwhelmed, such is the level of political apathy in this country.

brian lee · 05-08-2006, 02:42 PM

Sorry to be negative but:

The problem is not the method of asking a question or raising a query but that there is an answer; that someone knows the answer; and the person you contact, by whatever method, knows who that person is.

But first we need a wheelbarrow that works. Then we can talk about its various parts and what it is supposed to do, how to improve it or what it needs to keep it working efficiently.

18-07-2006, 11:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 32,078 Party: Libertarian Party	Idea to reconnect people to politics (Starting with UKIP) I work for a huge computer company that provides and maintains systems and software + all the support stuff that surrounds it. When people have problems with their kit, software or just have a question, they log a call with us, with a severity they feel it is at and then that call get's routed to the best person able to deal with it. UKIP doesn't have MP's for people to write to and to be honest, MP's are not the right people to deal with problems anyway. So, how is this for an idea. UKIP starts up it's very own call centre, where people can phone in with their problems. Say someone was having problems with their local police. They could log a call with a central UKIP database (say Lexdrum house) and be given a unique call number. The people logging that call, would then pass this on to the most relevant people to help. This may be an MEP, Councilor, or even just an activist. Some sort of call queue system could be used, with email notifications set up to alert the people who can help. Of ourse this would need volunteers too, but if UKIP are serious about becoming the peoples champion, is this not a good way to do it? Once this call logging system is in place, the problems could then be used as leads for the press team to create stories, or for the party to spot trends and create pro-active policies to combat problems. All this could be published on a web site (with permission of course) and UKIP will be seen to care, while actually getting some good stuff out of it for the party. Now the sticking point is getting volunteers and a bit of cash to get it going, but given the potential benefits, I would hope every branch would agree to help in some way, with the MEP's and their staff being expected to help. Good idea? Or is David Noakes right that the use of compooters is evil and should be quoshed. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Lib Dems

02-08-2006, 10:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 32,078 Party: Libertarian Party	Yep, I'm just giving a skeleton of an idea here. The idea is a good Customer Relationship Managment system, could revolutionise the way UKIP interacts with the public and it's members. I'm sure the old parties probably have them already, even if they don't used them as suggested above. If well designed from the beginning and with the right training, you would have a strong plus point against the UKIP brand. The nature of it would mean the calls would be routed to the people best placed to help, whether that be MEP, councilor, or just a member with a certain skill set. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Lib Dems

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02-08-2006, 10:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
eublues Uber Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,195	Great idea - would be a truely novel approach by a political party - but would need very informed personnel involved to ensure people got expert advice or referral on. This facility wouldn't have to be just by computer (why not also by phone or letter?)

03-08-2006, 01:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
Independent UKIP Uber Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Posts: 2,492	A nice idea in theory but wouldn't it be overwhelmed by people with unreasonable concerns who are sometimes also known as nutters and might they not overwhelm the system? And by reacting to some of their submissions when MPs and Councils/Councillors have lengthy experience in dealing with these people might that not potentially bring UKIP into disrepute, humiliation and even legal difficulties? Also it might be doable in Woking but probably not in Glasgow so the geography would have to be pretty limited. I can think of several other difficulties but won't mention them now. What might be of value is a geographically limited trial such as in Woking which has a comparatively large UKIP activist base in my opinion.

04-08-2006, 06:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
prober Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 860	M Davies idea is actually using technology in adopting one of the key changes needed for moving UKIP from an election time protest party to a political movement that has long term plans to be taken seriously , have public respect and be electable . His idea is therefore alien to current corporate " 1st day of the Somme at elections " corporate thinking of what UKIP should be doing. Practicalities can be ironed out, eg carefully launch locally in phases where branches want to make an impact at local elections, and in making the facility know restrict it to manageable fields within UKIP's interest areas such as " are you the victim of political correctness, burocracy, or official unfairness ? call UKIP" . It may need to be start up funded from member contributions ( in which case it could be off line from the UKIP leadership) . Sure there are practical issues but his vision is there.

04-08-2006, 10:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
extra ordinary Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: south east Posts: 196	I love this idea. I imagine the details couId be tuned to reduce the possibilty of legal action and a way found to deter most of those that have sadly lost their marbles from contacting ukip. the concept of the average person having a listening political ear at his or her disposal is well worthwhile. sometimes using your MP or councillor as first port of call seems a big step to take without talking things through with someone first. hope this idea can be checked into and acted on.

05-08-2006, 07:31 AM	#8 (permalink)
C_steam Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Paddling up 5hit creek..... Posts: 7,964	Simply just a fine idea.

05-08-2006, 02:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
brian lee Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South Essex Posts: 618	Sorry to be negative but: The problem is not the method of asking a question or raising a query but that there is an answer; that someone knows the answer; and the person you contact, by whatever method, knows who that person is. But first we need a wheelbarrow that works. Then we can talk about its various parts and what it is supposed to do, how to improve it or what it needs to keep it working efficiently.