Perhaps, suggested Deborah Mattinson and Nick Pickles, of Big Brother Watch, politicians should ask people first before listening in on their online conversations.

BBC: Why not let social media run the country?

Deborah Mattinson, co-founder and joint chief executive of Opinion Leader Research - which carries out polling for political parties - said older women were more likely to vote than younger women, although many older female voters were disillusioned with the political process and the Labour government in particular.

BBC: Women 'are more active' in seats where there are female MPs