What do we want? When do we want it? is a project born out of ignorance and curiosity, specifically my own. I came to realise that I had no real idea about the political arena other than a vague understanding of the United Kingdom's 'First Past the Post' electoral system and a rough idea of the difference between 'Left' and 'Right' in the political sense. I was also aware of the tight relationship between politics and the media. I should be clear here that I am not completely naïve. I realise that the person who pays the piper calls the tune; I mean a 'relationship' in a more McLuhan sense, in that the message, whatever that may be, is influenced and shaped by the mode of its delivery. Therefore, I conceived 'What do we want? When do we want it?' as an online investigation to examine what it is people currently want from politics, and why, alongside an examination of how today's web 2.0's active, fast, and response-enabling technology shapes that discussion. This technology's generosity provides not just a right of reply but enables thousands of new media producers, who are anything but 'establishment', to emerge.

WDWW is, therefore, a participatory journalism project which aims to explore both what people expect from politics and politicians and how this relationship is mediated in today's online world. I hope this site, through investigation and user participation, will shed some light on this relationship and encourage discussion on topics relating to both media and politics. Obvious starting points are such questions as: - Are people in general, by which I mean those not professionally involved, engaged in any meaningful way with politics and politicians? - If they are, or are not, why is this? - And by which means are they engaging?

These seem simple questions, but is the erosion I perceive in community bonding, with the loss of pubs, clubs, libraries, and other shared social spaces in the UK alongside the rapid rise of social media and online platforms, correct? How do people relate and form bonds across the divide of digital networks? Perhaps I am mistaken in this. There is only one way to find out, and that is to ask. WDWW will ask, both in person and online, 'what do you think of these and other related questions?' As the editor, I envisage the site as a forum, where registered users are free to give feedback, take part in the polls, suggest ideas for further discussion, and submit articles of their own for publication.

It is my express intention that the site should provide a safe, non-partisan space. Because not only am I no political expert, I also feel that all propositions should be given a fair hearing if they are discussed in a civilised and reasonable manner. However, I realise that thousands of years of discussion and ideology are unlikely to reach a conclusion here. Therefore, the responses to all articles and other content will be assessed and summarised at a set point in order that a meaningful outcome might be gleaned from them. So, if you do partake, please try to be civil and respectful (all boards are moderated, of course), make clear points, and keep an open mind, as will I.