FAQs

Please review the commonly asked questions and answers listed below.  If your question remains unanswered, please contact us from the website.  Our policy to respond to all enquiries within 48 hours of receipt.

Who has developed this service?

The political exchange has been developed by Advocacy Online, a leading supplier of e-campaigning software to the UK voluntary sector.

What is the purpose of the political exchange?

The idea is to increase the quality of communication between politicians and their constituents.  Instead of generating simple one way emails from the public to their local politicians, the political exchange will encourage more informed communication by publishing the views posted by politicians on web pages used by the public for campaigning.

What services are available through the political exchange? 

Currently, the political exchange only provides a facility for Prospective Parliamentary Candidates to publish their views on public policy issues posted by campaigning organisations.  There are plans to add functionality to allow candidates and politicians to build websites and manage email communication with constituents.

Who can access the political exchange?

Our database of Prospective Parliamentary Candidates is compiled from the public data records published by the main political parties.  The choice of which political parties to include is made by consulting with the campaigning organisations that use our technology.  If your data record is not included in our database when you try to create an account, please contact us.

Are there plans to develop the political exchange further?

We will be adding more features over the next few weeks, including a facility for politicians to build websites and manage email communication.

Does it cost anything to open an account?

Use of the software to post comments on public policy issues is completely free of charge.

How are the identities of candidates authenticated?

Opening an account on the political exchange requires each candidate to click through an email to validate their identity.  We use only published email addresses from the party websites, or our own direct research to compile email address lists.  If an email address is changed when an account is created, we hold the email validation until we can confirm the email address is valid.

Is support provided for this service?

Tutorials and help files are available in each political exchange account.  We are also able to provide email support.  Our policy is to respond to requests for email help within 48 hours or less.

How can I close my account?

Please contact us via email if you would like to close your account.

What happens after the election?

The political exchange will continue to be available after the election for Westminster Members of Parliament.

How does Advocacy Online decide which issues are posted?

Advocacy Online does not determine which public policy issues are posted.  Campaigning organisations with access to our e-activist software are free to publish any issue.