MP asks for 'unequivocal' right to tweet
By Ned Simons - 20th January 2011
Labour MP Tom Watson has asked for an unequivocal commitment from Commons authorities that MPs will be allowed to tweet while in the chamber.
Speaking in the Commons this morning he said that "younger members of this House and more progressive members of this House" scrutinised the executive using social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
He asked for an "unequivocal commitment" from Lib Dem MP John Thurso, representing the House of Commons Commission, that MPs would be allowed to use Twitter in the Commons chamber to hold the government to account.
Unfortunately for Watson, as neither a young or technologically progressive MP, Thurso admitted he did not really know what the Labour backbencher was talking about.
"I deeply regret to inform the honourable gentleman that I am a dinosaur to Twittery-things and haven't a clue how its works," he told Watson.
He added: "May I discuss that with him and find out exactly what he is talking about?"
Yesterday there was confusion after deputy speaker Lindsay Hoyle appeared to ban MPs from using Twitter in the Commons chamber, only to later reveal he had been joking.
The Commons procedure committee also plans to hold an inquiry into the use of electronic devices in the chamber.
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