[May 19] In the run-up to
Internet World UK 2000,
leading dot.coms have criticized what they say is the U.K.
Government’s poor support of e-commerce, with only 7 per cent
believing the minister in charge to be effective.
The survey, conducted for Penton Media’s Internet World, will come
as a shock to the Government, as Prime Minister Tony Blair has
taken a high profile stance in support of e-commerce, saying
he would make the U.K. “the best place to trade electronically
by 2002.”
Only twenty per cent of the dot.com and blue chip companies
in the survey were aware that the U.K’s e-envoy is Alex Allen,
whose primary role is to help businesses get online. 35 percent
of respondents thought Virgin boss Richard Branson would do
a better job.
E-commerce Minister Patricia Hewitt fared even worse, getting
a mere 7 per cent approval rating, while only 15 per cent of
respondents thought the Government as a whole was helping
e-commerce. 72 percent said the Government should give
e-commerce a higher priority.
Phil Nelson, Internet World’s show director, said it was time
the Government started listening to what e-business leaders
are saying and begin to act on their advice. In particular,
he regretted that the prime minister had been unable to give
the keynote speech at this year’s show.
“It’s a pity he can’t make it, because the show would have
provided him with a perfect platform from which to reinforce
the Government’s commitment to UK.com,” said Nelson.
John Griffiths, managing director of e-commerce specialist
Intershop — one of the survey respondents — said that the
Government needed to move faster if the U.K. was going to
become a major contender in the global race for e-leadership.
“The very concept of ‘Bills’ and ‘Committees’ and ‘Envoys’
misses the point!” said Griffiths.
Internet World UK 2000 will be held in London’s Earls Court,
May 23-25.