Con-LibDems and Civil Liberties

Pete Gl

Pete Gl

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Errr Pete?
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Yes
Now the new coalition government has promised new Civil liberties, or at least to contain the erosion of them. I would like to make my feelings known to this Government about the rights of photographers, both amateur and professional.

However, I live in a Labour stronghold and my MP is still Labour, thus I feel that making my feelings known to my own MP would be as much use as a chocolate fireguard.

How should we go about making our feelings known to people who really could make a difference?

Pete
 
Move? :D

Not sure really, have your tried writing to your local MP anyway? They still have some sway, and not necessarily all of them agree with every policy the rest of the party supports.

Chris
 
chris321 said:
Move? :D

Not sure really, have your tried writing to your local MP anyway? They still have some sway, and not necessarily all of them agree with every policy the rest of the party supports.

Chris
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This is very true - for example Dianne Abbot takes a rather different stance on civil liberties to her party's front bench.
 
Write to Nick Clegg

He did actually ask the public to let him know about the laws that we feel have been introduced against the wishes of the populace in a speech yesterday.

So let him know! :)
 
Nice one Alison!!!

Pete
 
Nice one too Adrian!!

Pete
 
I'm not a fan of the Lib Dems in general, but Nick Clegg gives me the impression of genuinely wanting to change the face of politics for the better.

Couldn't make it any worse than how the outgoing Labour party left things IMHO.

Pete
 
To be honest, as a single person you probably aren't going to have much luck on this one.

You could:

a) write to your MP, who will give you a reply about how your concerns were his concerns and that the current government has a bad track record... blah blah blah *yawn*

b) write to the Home Secretary, ask her and compliment her about her red shoes. You'll get some political clap trap about the new Con-Dem government being pro-whatever and how the old lot were a bunch of fools.

c) Look for a pressure group, join them, actively becoming an agitator and activist for them and make a large impact. If such a group doesn't exist, form one.

Unfortunately to make politics work, you need to engage in politics. It ("politics") has become a bit of a dirty word in recent years and few people have the interest or drive to make it work, but work it can do if you have the will.

In fact, with a strong will you will discover just how undemocratic the British system of government can be - where a real minority opinion can send shockwaves right to the top.
 
desantnik said:
c) Look for a pressure group, join them, actively becoming an agitator and activist for them and make a large impact. If such a group doesn't exist, form one.
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Since the OP asked about civil liberties with regard to photographers, this would certainly include section 44. The logical organisation is Liberty, who challenged s44 all the way the the European court of human rights and won, having it declared in conflict with the ECHR.

The government can appeal to the grand chamber, whether or not the new government takes up this option remains to be seen (I think). If it doesn't appeal it must legislate to resolve the conflict.

I am a member, it was the Terrorism Act that prompted me to join, although my contibution extends no further than paying my subs every month.
 
To be fair, I think they are already on the case....

3. CIVIL LIBERTIES
We will be strong in defence of freedom. The Government believes that the British state has become too authoritarian, and that over the past decade it has abused and eroded fundamental human freedoms and historic civil liberties. We need to restore the rights of individuals in the face of encroaching state power, in keeping with Britain’s tradition of freedom and fairness.

• We will implement a full programme of measures to reverse the substantial erosion of civil liberties and roll back state intrusion.
• We will introduce a Freedom Bill.
• We will scrap the ID card scheme, the National Identity register and the ContactPoint database, and halt the next generation of biometric passports.
• We will outlaw the finger-printing of children at school without parental permission.
• We will extend the scope of the Freedom of Information Act to provide greater transparency.
• We will adopt the protections of the Scottish model for the DNA database.
• We will protect historic freedoms through the defence of trial by jury.
• We will restore rights to non-violent protest. • We will review libel laws to protect freedom of speech.
• We will introduce safeguards against the misuse of anti-terrorism legislation.
• We will further regulate CCTV. • We will end the storage of internet and email records without good reason.
• We will introduce a new mechanism to prevent the proliferation of unnecessary new criminal offences.
• We will establish a Commission to investigate the creation of a British Bill of Rights that incorporates and builds on all our obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, ensures that these rights continue to be enshrined in British law, and protects and extends British liberties. We will seek to promote a better understanding of the true scope of these obligations and liberties.
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Linky
 
onomatopoeia said:
I am a member, it was the Terrorism Act that prompted me to join, although my contibution extends no further than paying my subs every month.
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The funny/ironic thing is that by joining that organisation you've been flagged on the security services watch list.

:eek:
 
Yes but the OP was talking about what happens when your MP is from a party not in power...
 
desantnik said:
The funny/ironic thing is that by joining that organisation you've been flagged on the security services watch list.

:eek:
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Oooh goody, they can spend their (our) money finding out how boring my life is :p

Obviously anyone joining an organisation that upholds principles of like free and fair elections (first statute of Westminster, 1275), fair trials (Magna Carta, 1215) and equality is a risk to a democratic society and encouraging radical new principles that we need to be wary of. :suspect:
 
desantnik said:
Yes but the OP was talking about what happens when your MP is from a party not in power...
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Well, he wasn't in a party in power when I voted for him ;)

Pete Gl said:
However, I live in a Labour stronghold and my MP is still Labour, thus I feel that making my feelings known to my own MP would be as much use as a chocolate fireguard.
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No. Do it anyway.

Write a letter. Preferably write it on paper and put it in the post. If your MP is unaware of your feelings he's in no position to understand his constituents' views and maybe modify his own and his party's. If you can persuade other people in your constituency to do the same, all the better.

TBH, it's a fundamental part of our democratic process. Everything else goes on top of this.
 
Musicman said:
Well, he wasn't in a party in power when I voted for him ;)



No. Do it anyway.

Write a letter. Preferably write it on paper and put it in the post. If your MP is unaware of your feelings he's in no position to understand his constituents' views and maybe modify his own and his party's. If you can persuade other people in your constituency to do the same, all the better.

TBH, it's a fundamental part of our democratic process. Everything else goes on top of this.
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Exactly. Apathy is a dangerous thing. People need to realise that they can make themselves heard especially when it comes to local government. The more you think making yourself heard is a waste of time the easier you make your local government representatives job easier. As for someone earlier in the thread saying that protesting alone won't get you anywhere, all it takes is well organised protest to get the ball rolling. Granted it's not as easy as joining a pressure group but still.

Who was that person that lived outside the White House for like 10 years?
 
KayJay said:
Exactly. Apathy is a dangerous thing. People need to realise that they can make themselves heard especially when it comes to local government. The more you think making yourself heard is a waste of time the easier you make your local government representatives job easier. As for someone earlier in the thread saying that protesting alone won't get you anywhere, all it takes is well organised protest to get the ball rolling. Granted it's not as easy as joining a pressure group but still.

Who was that person that lived outside the White House for like 10 years?
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Apathy is the reason the lib dems didn't get more of a vote in past years. It's a dangerous mindset.
 
KayJay said:
Who was that person that lived outside the White House for like 10 years?
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I've no idea, which probably says a lot about their protest :D
 
Yes do write to your MP.

I did when Austin Mitchell set up his early day motion.

My MP is Tory but he still wrote to the then Home Secretary from ehom I received a letter via my MP advising me that police should know the laws regarding photography and not mis use other laws.

I keep it in my camera bag.
 
Possibly a good way forward is to ask Austin Mitchell MP to speak to Nick Clegg (if he is any use he'll have that in mind already) pointing out the weight of evidence he has about misuse of legislation.
 
Pete Gl said:
Now the new coalition government has promised new Civil liberties, or at least to contain the erosion of them. I would like to make my feelings known to this Government about the rights of photographers, both amateur and professional.

However, I live in a Labour stronghold and my MP is still Labour, thus I feel that making my feelings known to my own MP would be as much use as a chocolate fireguard.

How should we go about making our feelings known to people who really could make a difference?

Pete
Click to expand...

:shake:

you didnt mention a camera in your post...:naughty:
 
As I understand it by the way there are going to be two streams to repealing the surveillance state nonsense that the previous government was so keen on - the first stream will be civil liberty focused (this will be limiting CCTV, databases, that sort of thing), the second will be the repeal of certain anti terrorist legislation and proper legislation against its misuse. The first stream will happen sooner. This is to make sure that (a) we don't let any terrorists in and (b) the civil liberties stuff doesn't get neutered by amendments or bogged down in the Lords.
 
Ady Williams said:
Nick Clegg can be contacted via :

Constituency address

85 Nethergreen Road
Sheffield
S11 7EH

Parliamentary address
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA

Or his email address is : cleggn@parliament.uk

:thumbs:
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I have Just sent my E-mail to Mr Clegg.
I shall let you know if I get a reply.
I am not however, holding my breath.:|
 
Pete Gl said:
Now the new coalition government has promised new Civil liberties, or at least to contain the erosion of them. I would like to make my feelings known to this Government about the rights of photographers, both amateur and professional.

However, I live in a Labour stronghold and my MP is still Labour, thus I feel that making my feelings known to my own MP would be as much use as a chocolate fireguard.

How should we go about making our feelings known to people who really could make a difference?

Pete
Click to expand...

I'd just be thankful that labour no longer control the country, which means for one, the ID card scheme is almost certain to be scrapped. Never thought I'd say it but I am glad labour have bitten the dust.
 
it will be religion next...
 
trencheel303 said:
What - religion biting the dust?
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religion full stop...dont think politics really is for photographers to moot about here...of course there are those who feel rather inhibited by our laws in this country...
since they dont affect me...and i have been stopped photographing in public places..but so what ...delete the things in front of the security guard and go and have a starbucks...
therefore i take the narrow view that since i am not political so should every one else...whats your problem anyway flaming me like that:nuts:
:shrug:
 
I recently spoke to my local Lib Dem councils whilst they were out pre-election canvasing about my concerns and they were most amiable... but given the timing they would be. ;-)
 
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