“Our digital networks will be the backbone of our economy in the decades ahead. We know that every aspect of our lives – every school, every hospital, every workplace and even every home – will depend on the services the digital network provides.”

Gordon Brown, PM, 29th Jan 2009

What does he expect? Stop stating the bleeding obvious.

It’s no surprise, from the government that believes it is worth exploring age-ratings for websites.

I’m really starting to get pissed off with politics.

Others have highlighted further examples of the shortsightedness of the Digital Britain report, and yes, I know, we’ve only had the first part. But why bother with this bit?

As Emily Bell states, there is nothing in the report to argue with. But, there’s also nothing that inspires confidence about how we might survive (and lead?) the digital age.

Why bother merely summarising what everyone already knows? Digital is hugely important to our economy. We know. It will become even more important. We know. Everyone needs to have access to high speed internet access. We know.

How?

That’s the question.

How are the government going to do this? How will we achieve these things?

The time for simplistic analysis is over. Other countries are plowing full steam ahead. We need action and we need it sooner rather than later.

For once the opposition are spot on:

Jeremy Hunt, Tory shadow culture minister: “We thought the report was going to contain a strategy.  In France and Germany they are laying fibre, in Japan they already have it.”

Don Foster, Lib Dem culture, media and sport spokesman: “We’ve spent lots of money on reviews, but all we now have is a strategy group, an umbrella body, a delivery group, a rights agency, an exploratory review, a digital champion and an expert task force. This report has been a complete damp squib.”

Come on Gordon. Action, not words.

Rant over.

Danny Whatmough