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@tom_watson MP is the ISPA Internet Hero for 2010 #DEAct #digitalbritain

2010 ISPA Internet Hero Tom Watson MP
2010 ISPA Internet Hero Tom Watson MP

At tonight’s Internet Services Providers Association (ISPA)  Awards Labour MP for West BromwichTom Watson was announced as the Internet Hero for 2010. This is just a bit of fun at the one time in the year that the ISP industry lets its hair down, but it does have its serious side.

The work that Tom Watson did in opposing parts of the Digital Economy Bill was highly creditable. He stood up for human rights and fairness. It shows that Members of Parliament do have a conscience and are willing to speak out when that conscience troubles them.

Tom Watson went against his own party’s whip on a matter of high principle and unlike many of the tame politicians that came out of the parliamentary woodwork (bars) to support the Bill at the final vote.

It was clear by then that all most MPs were concerned with was getting re-elected and not sticking their head above the parapet. Had some of them, now no longer favoured with an electoral majority, taken Mr Watson’s stance they might still be MPs.

An interview with our Hero will appear at a later date. I wrote this post in advance having been on the selection committee for the Award and therefore knowing the winner. At the time of publication I will be celebrating with him.

Work on the Code of Practice for the Digital Economy Act continues at its unrealistically frenetic pace.

Internet Villain was Lord Mandelson for introducing the Bill in the first place. He did not reply to our invitation to attend the Awards. Lets not talk any more about him.

Footnote – Tom Watson was unable to make the Awards but Eric Joyce MP, also a DEAct opponent, accepted it on his behalf.

Trefor Davies

By Trefor Davies

Liver of life, father of four, CTO of trefor.net, writer, poet, philosopherontap.com

2 replies on “@tom_watson MP is the ISPA Internet Hero for 2010 #DEAct #digitalbritain”

I watched Tom fighting during the washup, it is commendable that he didn’t follow the whip like all the other sheep. He should be helping the current government with things techy, cos he walks the talk. I am real glad he won the award.

As for the dark lord who caused all this mess in the first place, did he appear to collect his award or is he back in corfu licking his wounds until the next time he reinvents himself?
I doubt anyone will take him seriously after this fiasco. The digital economy bill has set our digital economy back at least a decade.
chris

Cyberdole – of course he didn’t turn up – he didn’t even reply to the invite – they probably don’t have email where he comes from 🙂

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