ROMSEY MP Sandra Gidley has been nominated for a political 'web blog' award by the Guardian thanks to her blog site at www.romseyredhead. blogspot.com.

She is the first woman MP to start a 'blog' or 'web log' - an on-line diary that many think will be increasingly used as an important means of communication with the electorate.

The backbencher at Guardian online says: "Sandra Gidley is the only female MP with her own blog. Her entries are down-to-earth, very informative and at times very amusing."

Sandra Gidley said: "I was absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for this award.

"I am particularly interested in the idea of e-democracy as a mechanism to boost voter turnout and increase participation in the political decision-making process.

"Blogging has the potential to play an extremely important role in engaging people of all ages, but particularly younger people."

She had tried to do a number of things. The first was to provide an insider's snapshot of Westminster and to keep the comment fairly immediate.

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