Real power is but a mouse click away  By Peter Riddell
The Times, November 15, 2006
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2453404,00.html

EXTRACTED:
For politicians, the key question is how far we should move towards 
direct, plebiscitary democracy — a permanent referendum. Politicians can 
no longer just ask voters their opinions at elections every four or five 
years. The public should have its say in between. --SNIP--

In government and Parliament, the key is to use the techniques of the 
internet and direct democracy to strengthen the representative system.

UNQUOTE

Serious proponents of direct democracy approve a SYNTHESIS of citizen 
politics with parliament and government, a practice which has already 
been tried and tested. This is part-time direct democracy which enables 
the electorate to intervene on a particular issue, problem or principle 
IF AND WHEN they so wish. For instance, you can have a citizens' law 
proposal or a veto of unwanted law.

More about this experience is at
http://www.iniref.org/steps.html
http://www.iniref.org/swissdemocracy.html