"10 Downing Street" is on Twitter but who are they?

You may have read that "10 Downing Street" is now updating us on various facets of the Prime Minister's day via Twitter. While the thought behind this move must be applauded, it's a shame that the execution misses the point somewhat. There is no pretence that Gordon Brown himself is writing the updates which is good but they are coming from the anonymous www.twitter.com/downingstreet  and this is not how Twitter works. The point is that when you're talking on Twitter you are a named person. Even if people don't know you they know that they are listening / talking to a real person. If a big brand came on and starting Twittering as a product name there would be uproar so why should it be any different for the Government?

I've asked Downingstreet twice now for some more details about who is writing the updates but as yet I've not received a reply. It's definitely a real person (or people) as they've referred to themselves several times in the first person. Why not be completely transparent and let us know who you are!

Anyway as I can't get a reply on my own I'm enlisted help from all you other Twitter users out there. Send Downing Street a message when you're next Twittering and ask who they are....maybe with weight of numbers we'll find out who is really behind the virtual door of Number 10!!!

Matt

Follow me on Twitter here

Comments

[Jamie Leonard]

Matt as much as I applaud your passion for transparent communication and openness, do you not think there may be a matter of national security here? This person(s) has knowledge of the whereabouts and movements of the leader of our country. Information I bet a few some groups, who may be a little miffed with us, would like to get there hands on.

I wish I could think of a good Bush / Facebook joke but I have nothing.

[Peter Gold]

Matt, where is the rule book that says twitter does not work like this?

The video from the Ceefax man says it all :>)

Peter

[Matt]

There isn't one, I was trying to start a public uprising to help create one. It didn't work...I should have know that Social Media has got a life of it's own!