Data Driven Democracy? The Opportunities and Limits of monitoring Parliament

Ben Worthy*, Cat Morgan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

This paper draws on a study of the monitoring of the UK Parliament to explore how data across various tools can and cannot be used to open up Parliament. Since 2005 Westminster has opened up through Parliamentary Monitoring Organisations such as mySociety as well as formal tools such as FOI and Register of Interests. Together they create a self-reinforcing web of pressures on MPs and Peers. This paper argues that the presence of data has three main effects. It enables certain activities, creating emphasis on votes, attendance but neglects other areas, such as constituency work. Data is self expansive and breaks down the ‘frontstage’ and ‘backstage’ of what MPs and Peers do. Finally, data become a source of conflict over access to data and meaning. Taken together this means the data creates an illusion of objectivity and comparability that conceals inequalities and bias (Mau 2019). However, it also creates artificial emphasis in certain activities while throwing others into darkness and becomes a new point of conflict (Strathern 1999).
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 13 Apr 2022
Event72nd Political Studies Association Annual International Conference - York, United Kingdom
Duration: 11 Apr 202213 Apr 2022

Conference

Conference72nd Political Studies Association Annual International Conference
Abbreviated titlePSA22
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityYork
Period11/04/2213/04/22

Keywords

  • monitory democracy
  • parliament

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