The Government has been saying, in a catchy, misleading piece of spin: “If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.” This is a demagogue's trick. We do have something to fear - the total loss of privacy to an intrusive state with authoritarian tendencies.Why is it scary? Because it's bloody John Major, he who was Prime Minister when I was 18, he who I campaigned against in '92 and '97, he who resigned and put himself up for re election when I was at Glastonbury (and Jarvis mentioned it on stage to a massive cheer). It shows how far this Govt has gone from it's early promise that a liberal socialist like me can end up agreeing with a former Tory Prime Minister on a key plank of Govt legislation. Lest we forget, this is a man who was chairing a Cabinet meeting when the IRA mortar bombed his home & office, a man whose party and friends had nearly been destroyed by terrorists when they blew up Brighton. When he says this is an unnecessary step too far? For fucks sake Gordon, wake up and smell the coffee.
This is not a United Kingdom that I recognise and Parliament should not accept it.
Jennie has more:
The debate before the house is not referring to the total period a person can be kept inside before they have to be released. This is, in fact, about whether or not we should have 42 days of imprisonment for people before they are even told what they are supposed to have done wrong.42 days detention for being an alleged terrorist. Note the definition of terrorism includes a lot of animal rights activism and similar these days as well.
Gah!
Introspection
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Comments
I couldn't agree more. Indeed, beloved.
Anyway, how much of this is about terrorism and how much is about not being seen to be politically weak?
It is so arbitrary. And much longer than any other country - if I recall correctly, the Economist said that at 28 days, the UK has a longer period of detention without trial than other countries (I think Australia came next, with 12 days - I can't find the reference!).
It is not clear why 42 days will be better than 28.
Plus so many people who one would expect to be in favour - such as former judges, MI5 and so on - don't see the need for an increase.
It just seems so pointless!