Putting the citizen at the centre of the public service is not a new, or unreasonable proposal. However, getting to it is going to take many years, if not decades.

In web 2.0 some people say that the user can produce the content. If that content continues to say that politicians, and the public services that their reputation depends on, are ” style web 1.0 stalinist “, and there is no change, then voters will get upset.

If politicians see the disruptive power of the web 2.0 process as helpful, and engage with it, then there might be some progress. However, NHS and other public service vested interests will not go down without a big fight. We have to nurse them through their hospice years ( after all it is now 60 ), and introduce some new ways of looking after people.

If G. Brown used this

http://www.patientslikeme.com/

He might find where and how he can stop biting his nails

If he needs an operation, he can use this

http://www.patientopinion.org.uk/

Then he can be proud and say I am using web 2.0 and it is improving public services. What a bonny user he would be…..