The Progressive Labour Party has stepped up its efforts to reach a wider audience by launching a channel on video-sharing website YouTube.

Internet surfers across the world logging on to the popular site can now watch footage of George Scott, Marc Bean and Zane DeSilva being unveiled as the party’s candidates for the coming General Election.

The link, which also features a clip of Premier Ewart Brown announcing the Endurance World Open Squash Championships in Bermuda earlier this year, is expected to contain more videos of PLP events in the coming weeks.

It comes after the PLP upgraded its website to broaden its online appeal and attached a blog for Progressive Minds, the youth branch of the party. Meanwhile, the Premier recently signed up to popular online community Facebook to target youths in his election campaign.

“It’s no mystery to anyone that more and more things are going online and we are utilising the tools of the Internet,” said party chairman David Burt yesterday.

“We have to be proactive. We are proud of our website and we will continue to be innovative where we can. There’s lots of information we can put on the website.”

In recent months, commentators in the US have said YouTube is helping change the political landscape by airing hard-hitting questions from web visitors and offering politicians the chance to put out unauthorised campaign videos.

It has led to debate over how parties can control the message which is being put out, as unwanted negative footage can easily find its way onto the website.

Mr. Burt said the PLP’s use of technology as a promotional tool had received a mixed response from party supporters.

“There’s been some negative feedback because not everyone has the Internet, and some prefer more traditional methods,” he said.

“But we will continue to invest heavily in the Internet because it’s an effective way method of reaching our membership — it’s excellent for our outreach.”

To visit the PLP’s YouTube channel, log on to www.youtube.com/progressivelabour