VARs braced for election-fuelled turbulence

Some channel players fear change in government could stall major public sector IT projects

The imminent change in government means public sector IT projects could be stalled or obstructed, according to some in the channel, who fear "welcome developments" brought in by the coalition are at risk.

People across the UK have begun voting in the general election this morning. The coalition government was dissolved on 30 March and the new parliament will meet officially for the first time on 18 May.

Public sector IT supplier Memset said it is expecting some turbulence in government technology regardless of the outcome of today's vote.

"Our main concern is about loss of momentum of the initiatives which have been launched by the coalition over the last five years, whatever the complexion of the next administration," said Robin Pape, Memset's public sector adviser. "We hope and expect that any new administration would be at least broadly in favour of the directions taken."

Over the past five years, the coalition has made attempts to make it easier for smaller firms to sell IT to the government and has launched SMB-friendly public sector frameworks such as G-Cloud. Pape said that change meant these "welcome developments" could be at risk.

"There will be new faces in key governmental roles who will need time to get to grips with their roles, decide on their priorities and start driving them," he said.

"In the meantime, those working on government IT (both public and private sector) who are less enthusiastic about the changes have an opportunity to stall, backtrack or obstruct the welcome developments such as the moves to cloud, open standards, open source solutions and broadening the market to include a wider range of suppliers including SMBs."

Don't rock the boat

UKFast's founder Lawrence Jones agreed that change at the top could be problematic for the channel.

"I am hoping there won't be a change and hope we get left to our own devices," he said. "Sometimes no change is better than disruption. My main concern would be a Labour government that doesn't understand industry and is [against] progressive business people.

"This was the first government - whether you like the Conservatives or Labour - no one can deny it has been the first government that has made it possible for SMEs to trade with the government. That's got to be a good thing. It is the first time ever small British businesses are able to provide services, often much better services than those of huge American corporations. The problem with [any] new government is they won't understand the nuances taking place."

Analyst Context also said that a continuation of the coalition would be the best outcome for the channel.

"Of the different outcomes, the best one, in my view, for business and for technology, is a continuation of the coalition," said Adam Simon, global managing director of retail business development at Context.

"The Conservatives are realistic in their manifesto targets for broadband penetration, compared to the more hopeful and uncosted Lib Dem target. But the Lib Dems have the most comprehensive view of technology, dedicating a paragraph [in its manifesto] to 'securing global leadership in technology' with eight recommendations covering broadband, tech clusters, national curriculum and upskilling the unemployed, support to Government Digital Service, and growth of use of technology in government. Labour's technology input is minimal and only contains very broad statements."

Labour of love?

Labour came under fire from other areas of the channel too, with Computer Communications Limited (CCL) boss Dennis Armstrong claiming the party's plans to crack down on what it claims are "exploitative" zero-hour contracts could affect channel consultants.

"If you imagine you were a consultant and [a company] was paying you a retainer for your services - that is effectively a zero-hours contract," he said.

"Every consultant that is not employed [formally] is going to be obliged to join that company. There is a financial implication - how will small businesses cope with that?"

But reseller PC Paramedics' boss Paul Dadge is backing Labour after meeting leaders of each main party personally. Dadge is part of the Hacked Off campaign against press intrusion after his phone was hacked following his involvement in the rescue effort in the 7/7 bombings in London in 2005.

In a video calling on people to vote Labour, Dadge said party leader Ed Miliband gets his vote due to his stance on press freedom.

"Nick Clegg cannot be trusted to implement anything while he is part of a Conservative-led, Murdoch-fed government," he said. "His legacy on tuition fees is testament to that.

"I don't want to accept a [future] where the media calls the shots regardless of who is caught up in their actions. I want the findings of the Leveson report [into press intrusion] implemented. I want local MPs to respond to constituents and not label them as rude or ignore important issues which have impacted on their lives. Personally, I know Ed, and I trust him. I know he will do a job that is expected of him and I know he will put the country first."