Sign language

Numbers in Parliament matter for the government in power and it matters more when the ruling government is a coalition. So how do you ensure that you have sufficient MPs present and voting on vital issues? The government has found the easiest solution in the humble text message or SMS. Starting this session, every MP of the ruling coalition is sent an SMS informing him of the issues discussed in Parliament that day. When the issue under debate is as serious as the National Counter Terrorism Centre, a separate SMS is sent to each MP requesting attendance. Maybe this is a sign that, despite the detractors, the government should widen the use of technology in other significant ways, such as smart cards to target poverty schemes.