As if we didn’t have enough redundant communications from this government, they are now intending to Twitter us to death, according to the news website, Brand Republic.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has now produced a 20 page Twitter strategy document for ministers and their functionaries. Completely po-faced, the document urges all government departments to tweet, tweet tweet, while of course avoiding “pointless content”.
Users must tweet no less than twice a day and no more than ten, with at least a 30 minute gap in between, and the document offers further useful tips for preventing the government getting a “poor Twitter reputation.”
Demonstrating some self-awareness the author acknowledges the risk of criticism for “jumping on the bandwagon” or wasting “public money/return on investment.”
Nevertheless the government has built up a fine reputation for being unable to resist any new gimmick, especially if its youth-oriented. So no doubt we can look forward to a hail of Twitters on the following lines.
Gordon Brown: “It’s 4.00 AM, just finished my British muesli. Am off to save the world. Again.”
Peter Mandelson: “Looking for a yacht for the summer, preferably not Russian. Any offers?”
Alistair Darling: “Suffering temporary cash shortfall. Anyone got a few hundred billion to spare?”