IP Democracy: British MPs Go to Great Lengths for Wi-Fi Access

This article from BBC Online details a problem faced by Britain’s Members of Parliament: they can’t access the Internet via Wi-Fi unless they take to nearby cafes, sidewalks or steps. The problem is the tight security systems around the Palace of Westiminster — the laptops given to MPs even have their Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity disabled.

New Tory MP Grant Shapps added: “I did not really care that much that I did not have an office for two months because if I have my laptop and mobile phone, I have everything I need to contact the outside world. “The problem is that not only does this place make it harder than average to contact people outside, it actually blocks you from accessing outside contacts using your own laptop, so it is working against you.”

Is it just me or does this scenario spark amusing images of wonky lawmakers desperately trying to find signals by roaming the streets of London with opened laptops?

Posted by Cynthia Brumfield on February 7, 2006 5:33 PM to IP Democracy