While reading a recent Demos report on mobile technology (download PDF here), I came across this paragraph:

"The success of interactive SMS voting in TV shows such as Popstars, Pop Idol and Big Brother has been watched closely by the political classes. For the last couple of years, the UK government has been running a series of pilots in interactive voting – via email and text-message – during local authority by-elections."

I remember back in 2000, during the first UK edition of Big Brother, comparing the numbers of those partaking in the TV show voting process against those registered during some form of election (local? European? I have no idea, no trace remains in my riddled memory). What I do recall is the bitter irony of witnessing a much-higher "turnout" for Big Brother than for small-minded politicians. It was another sign of the decay affecting what is known as democracy. Another red flag signalling the failure of a system that was (and is) no longer delivering on its promises.

Which is why I do not see email or SMS voting as a cure to the ever-dwindling numbers of "active" participants in the democratic system of western countries. Somehow, the act of changing tools or toys will not automatically inject new life, new hope, new faith in a game many can no longer be bothered to play. In fact, on the following page, I found support to this train of thought:

"Results of trials conducted during the May 2002 local elections fail to provide conclusive evidence in favour of e-voting. Despite participant feedback suggesting that they found e-voting ‘easy, convenient and quick’, an evaluation carried out by the Electoral Commission concluded that technology-based pilots appeared to have ‘no significant impact’ on turnout.’"

But I do see the introduction of "reality" TV formats to the world of politics as a way of rekindling interest. Instead of the political classes monitoring the success of interactive voting on such shows, we - the multitudes - should watch politicians closely.

During election times, for example, all candidates could be enclosed together in a Big Brother style home. Denied all forms of communication/contact with their spin-doctors, PR merchants, stylists and hair-dressers. Provided with a limited budget for food and drink to judge their basic management skills. Given task to rate their knowledge of current affairs, their problem-solving abilities, their emotive intelligence. Unable to escape the cameras on a 24/7 basis. Forced to interact with one another... the foundations are all there for great TV (or terminal boredom?), and could help us grow much closer to our potential representatives. Or simply establish our dislike early and kick them out before they actually gain office.

Once elected, TV coverage could continue under a different format, maybe something like the Osbournes. Just imagine tuning in to MTV and seeing Tony and Cheri and the kids (and all their counterparts across the globe) shopping, eating, arguing: Welcome to the OsBlairs.

Or perhaps we should simply turn our TVs off and get down to the business of rethinking democracy.