Politics is in crisis. Members of Parliament can rarely have been held in lower public esteem than now. Many think MPs don’t listen and are out of touch. Just over 17 million citizens who could have voted at the last general election chose not to. This website is part of an experiment facilitated by the BBC to see if politicians and the public can re-connect. For the next three weeks I am road testing a form of direct democracy. Richard Caborn Labour MP in Sheffield Central will be doing so in January. I want to hear the views of my constituents and others about local and national issues and the way politics is conducted. I will consider acting on what I hear. Where I take a different view – due to my conscience or my political judgment - I will explain why. Both Richard Caborn and I are standing down at the next general election and have nothing to gain politically or financially by taking part in the People’s Politician. The experiment is being filmed by the BBC for a documentary to be shown next year. This is an exciting opportunity. Please get involved. Ann Widdecombe 25 November 2009