A new rich media online strategy sees prime minister Gordon Brown ask the public to answer questions live on YouTube.

Prime minister’s questions – the half-hour session in which the prime minister takes questions from parliament – can now be viewed in web video form, from this week.

The prime minister has billed the initiative as a chance for the public to get involved in the Commons practice.

Mr Brown commented in an online clip: "I am here to answer your questions. Politicians get the chance in prime minister’s questions. I think it is time the public had a chance."

David Cameron, leader of the Conservatives, had earlier described Mr Brown as an "analogue leader in a digital age".

The premier spoke at Google’s conference in the UK this week, addressing the relationship between technology and access to education and health services.

Google has launched a new service that enables the online storage of medical records.