UPDATE: I was dismayed Thursday evening to find that the summary of a Twitter town hall I had created hours earlier using the web tool Storify had vanished, with a 404 error in its place. Today I found Storify's explanation of the problem : in short, someone on their staff deleted a database, wiping out many stories. The "restored" draft of the story survived, but contained only a fraction of the tweets and remarks I had collected. The live nature of the event Thursday means it would take too much time to search for old tweets and rebuild the item today, so I've decided to abandon the project. I'm sorry for any inconvenience.
[<a href="https://storify.com/theglobeandmail/online-town-hall-takes-premier-clark-to-task-over" target="_blank">View the story "Twitter town hall on democratic reform steers clear of Clark controversy" on Storify</a>]<h1>Twitter town hall on democratic reform steers clear of Clark controversy</h1><h2></h2><p>Storified by The Globe and Mail · Thu, Sep 20 2012 13:08:22</p><div>As part of a call for Premier Christy Clark to respect debate in the public arena, two independent B.C. MLAs -- Bob Simpson (Cariboo North) and Vicki Huntington (Delta South) -- hosted what they called a Twitter town hall Thursday using the hashtag #bcdemreform.</div><div>Hope u'll join @vickihuntington & @BobSimpsonMLA during our Twiiter Town Hall on #bcdemreform starting at noon tdy. Share ur ideas! #bcpoliBob Simpson</div><div>Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on democracy at our Twitter Townhall at noon today! @bobsimpsonMLA #bcdemreform #bcpoliVicki Huntington MLA</div><div>In advance of the chat, followers helped set the stage</div><div>@bobsimpsonmla @vickihuntington don't run from the legislature & the people; face opposition & have real debate on real issues #bcdemreformmichael haack</div><div>@vickihuntington @bobsimpsonmla we need a majority of independent MLA's #bcdemreformgill picard</div><div>The chat got underway at noon with a variety of issues reaching the virtual table.</div><div>@vickihuntington @bob simpson #bcdemreform Wish list - no whipped votes. Power to opposition and judiciary to bring on independent inquiriesMerv Adey</div><div>@BobSimpsonMLA Parties putting own agenda higher than voters needs. #bcdemreform. Not good government. swap corp. agenda for union.Laila Yuile</div><div>Do you feel committees should be independent from gvt and able to set own agendas? #bcdemreformVicki Huntington MLA</div><div>@vickihuntington Yes, how long before Harper's committee-blocking tactics here with all his former advisors? #bcdemreformKerry Davis</div><div>@pgfreepress #bcdemreform the problem is govt discretion over the fixed calendar. Same is true for fixed election dates.Tracey Janes</div><div>Don't forget #election financing reform Level playing field Individual donations only with limit (4 municipal elections too) #bcdemreformDavid Finnis</div><div>@ilovethearts Agree. I have a Private Members Bill that would restrict donations to Reg BC voters, capped at $1k.#bcdemreformBob Simpson</div><div>@vickihuntington @bobsimpsonmla make better use of referenda #bcdemreformgill picard</div><div>@Picard_politics I think tools for referenda could be useful - bud easily abused without checks in place - can destabilize gvt #bcdemreformVicki Huntington MLA</div><div>One thing stood out during the chat: As independents, Mr. Simpson and Ms. Huntington were able to be more candid than usual about the state of democracy and electoral politics in B.C.</div><div>When do we get party-affiliated MLA spending for 2010/11? #bcdemreformKerry Davis</div><div>@KerryGDavis Spending is avail now, if they cared to make it public #bcdemreformVicki Huntington MLA</div><div>@BobSimpsonMLA I'd like to see MLAs and MPs actually represent the constituents rather than the "party line". #bcdemreformKat Ling</div><div>@sapphkat Got ideas bout how voters can hold their MLAs/MPs to accnt BETWEEN elx'ns? That would turn table twd their constits. #bcdemreformBob Simpson</div><div>#bcdemreform Kathleen Gibson@GbhgroupGibsonWish list - more direct democracy, REAL talk on policy issues, for all, in AND outside Leg!Kathleen Gibson</div><div>@GbhgroupGibson How do we engage and get people out to meetings? More diff than you think and a constant Q we ask. #bcdemreformVicki Huntington MLA</div><div>#bcdemreform It's easy for citizens to criticize politicians. What responsibility do citizens have for the sorry state of our dem?Bob Simpson</div><div>@BobSimpsonMLA voters will not show up if they can't control government more than every 4 years #bcdemreformgill picard</div><div>@BobSimpsonMLA #bcdemreform I am not a fan of driving those who aren't informed to vote. Better that they don't, if uninformed.Tony Sprackett</div><div>@BobSimpsonMLA remove party names from ballot @VickiHuntington #bcdemreformRyan Windsor</div><div>@Eco_RyanWindsor @VickiHuntington Used to be that way until around the 1930s! #bcdemreformBob Simpson</div><div>@BobSimpsonMLA Parties allow people to pay less attention and vote for a brand/leader they recognize. #bcdemreformKerry Davis</div><div>@BobSimpsonMLA #bcdemreform Independents would fare better under pro-rep. Under 1st past post, just voices in wilderness.Tony Sprackett</div><div>#bcdemreform Power needs to be decentralized by allowing caucus and not rank and file to choose leader. Thoughts? #bcpoliCameron Phillips</div><div>@BCPoliandrew That's one way to rebalance the Caucus/Leader dynamic. MLAs should be able to select the Premier and Cabinet too! #bcdemreformBob Simpson</div><div>Here's a novel idea … why not have cabinet reflect party percentage? i.e. all parties represented in cabinet. #bcdemreformpgfreepress</div><div>@pgfreepress Then you're talking coalition - reform of the parliamentary system. Big challenge there! #bcdemreformVicki Huntington MLA</div><div>@vickihuntington @bobsimpsonMLA #bcdemreform Re citizen engagement, events like this are a good start. Thank you both.Merv Adey</div><div>There was little appetite for calling out Premier Christy Clark and her recent comments about the culture of Victoria during the chat, but when a question was put forward participants and Mr. Simpson seemed to agree that democratic reform should be high on the Premier's agenda.</div><div>@BobSimpsonMLA @VickiHuntington Would you like to say anything about the leadership of Premier Clark as we head into fall? #bcdemreformMason Wright</div><div>@thismason There is only one person @christyclarkbc can blame for the tone in "Victoria" and it ain't the janitor! #bcdemreformKerry Davis</div><div>@thismason @BobSimpsonMLA @VickiHuntington no time or blace to stir the brown stuff #bcdemreformgill picard</div><div>@thismason She should diagnose the prob with the "sick" legislature and lead its treatment. The Prem is best positioned to lead #bcdemreformBob Simpson</div><div>@BobSimpsonMLA @thismason She sld get onboard with demreform pronto #bcdemreformgill picard</div><div>On voting reform, the recent referendums on single transferable vote and the Citizens Assembly that suggested it were part of the discussion.</div><div>#bcdemreform So far: elx'n finance refrm, more Indies, Independent investigations, refrm Cmtte process/structure. What about voting reform?Bob Simpson</div><div>@BobSimpsonMLA #bcdemreform STV had some traction and I hoped it would pass, but seems a dead fish nowMerv Adey</div><div>@Eco_RyanWindsor Several I know want voting reform, but not STV. #bcdemreformKerry Davis</div><div>#bcdemreform @bobsimpsonMLA STV went down in flames so no appetite in gov't. for voting reform think public still has appetite for it thoughpgfreepress</div><div>@pgfreepress I think we should consider the STV referenda as an unfinished conversation. People still want electoral reform. #bcdemreformBob Simpson</div><div>#bcdemreform much needs to be reformed, need Citizens Assembly (CA) to look at all issues and recommend fixes. Possibly empower CA to fix??Bobby Deepak</div><div>@BobbyDeepak1 Not a bad idea. Give a new CA the whole reform agenda. Would u bind the Govt to enact their recommendations? #bcdemreformBob Simpson</div><div>@BobSimpsonMLA #bcdemreform interesting idea but not sure have to have balanced makeup of CA and checks/balances but certainly worth considBobby Deepak</div><div>great townhall with independent MLA's Bob Simpson and Vicki Huntington right now on twitter: #BCdemreformJennifer Allan</div><div>@BobSimpsonMLA one thing we've learned is that those who play by the rules shouldn't be the ones writing the rules #bcdemreformIntegrityBC</div><div>#bcdemreform @bobsimpsonMLA @vickihuntingtonMLA Great event, please do it again. hour goes by quicklypgfreepress</div><div>Thanks @vickihuntington @BobSimpsonMLA @Eco_RyanWindsor et al for interesting chat! #bcdemreformKerry Davis</div><div>Wish we had two hours - found input great, thank you all! Stay tuned for followup. #bcdemreformVicki Huntington MLA</div><div>#bcdemreform Thanks all. Let's keep the converst'n going using this hashtag! Our staff will compile tdys ideas and put them on our websites.Bob Simpson</div>