The DNA Database continues to swell at an alarming rate. There are those who think this is a wonderful thing and that we should all be forcibly registered on it as this will make crime detection simpler for the police. Ah, there we go again, policy proposed by the hard of thinking.
One such is Lord Mackenzie. During a debate today on Jeremy Vine’s radio programme, this pernicious control freak trotted out the same tired mantra previously worn out by the prime minister and home secretary, that erosion of civil liberties was necessary to preserve the civil liberty of walking the streets without being mugged, raped or murdered.
In that statement Lord Mackenzie completely removed any credibility he has. You do not preserve civil liberties by taking them away; such is the behaviour of extreme authoritarians who seek to control and manipulate rather than protect. His questions to a telephone caller on the show were repeatedly “what do you have to fear?” The answer was not forthcoming as the caller was not sufficiently articulate (and was clearly angry) to respond effectively. Apart from some research into 20th Century European history that tells us exactly what we have to fear from authoritarian government, the question is not one of fear, nor of hiding things; it is about turning a population of 60 million people into suspects – a reversal of principle of innocent until proven guilty. It is a simple concept, one that underpins a common law democracy wherein the state and the police force are subservient to the citizen not the other way around. If Lord Mackenzie really cannot see this then he is a fool. However, I believe he does see it and chooses to ignore it as he supports the government’s ongoing agenda of mass surveillance and a subservient citizenry. His comments on identity cards sum him up completely:
“I get a little weary of hearing complaints about the erosion of human rights and the diminution of civil liberties.”
The state – and this Lord are not your friend.
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