Turning Water into Wine

(watch Gordon Brown's speech)

Here's hoping the glass isn't half empty

In an unusual twist, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has come under fire this week after announcing that broadband access is just as 'essential' as water supply. So essential in fact, that a new tax can be put in place for its development (yey! How Westminster must be cheering) . Of course the news has sparked all kinds of angry responses, with many saying the figures do not add up (surprise surprise) and others maintaining that if possible, they would prefer their tap to keep running thank you very much.

But outlandish statements aside, the idea is a good one and I hope that the government really do maintain their goal of providing broadband access for all. Whilst connectivity maybe a little way off water on the importance scale there is no doubt that being online is becoming more and more integrated with everyday life. This week the e-retail sales index revealed further progression within the online sales market and many small businesses have come out in the last few days expressing a desire to become entirely web based in order to beat the recession.

Whilst the Internet currently lies like an untidy room, with bits and bobs sprawled all over the place, it is soon to have a spring clean. Once the room is cleaned up, broadband’s place on the importance scale will perhaps shift up a couple of spaces and we’ll really start talking about the big leagues. So let's hope this isn't just another false promise thrown together to win some seats at the next election, if the Government take some initiative here, they may end up looking quite good... heaven forbid!