Simon Jenkins’ final article in the Sunday Times is a swan song that everyone should read.
Is Jacqui Smith, the home secretary, a pocket dictator? Is there no drop of liberalism in her veins, no concept of personal freedom, no fear of a repressive state? Or is she just another home secretary? This month she apparently felt obliged by dark forces beyond her control to add another weapon to the armoury of illiberal power. She wants to record at her Cheltenham communications headquarters every mobile phone call, text and internet message of every Briton living. This is close to madness.
Yes, no, yes.
Jenkins covers the erosions of liberty carried out by this dreadful administration and sums up beautifully:
There have been few outspoken MPs. Those supposedly defending freedom are whipped into obedience. I find this ominous.
In a parliamentary democracy, this is a wicked, wicked disgrace. Our elected representatives have become the enemy of the people. And, paradoxically, the last bastion against them is the unelected Lords.
Second that.
Yes, the Lords have something to be proud of. But we should not forget that the judiciary have also played a part in highlighting and contradicting some of the nonsense.
Our elected representatives have become the enemy of the people.
Yes, as foreshadowed in V for Vendetta in 2006.
jameshighams last blog post..[middle-east update] can livni make a difference
Thanks for making me aware of this article, it is something I have deep feelings about and have copied the Simon Jenkins article for future reference. I fear we are being led blindfolded into a New Labour Stasi State, they cannot be allowed to win another election or we’re all doomed.
Lorenzos last blog post..Brand and Ross Sub-culture
Surveying the political and social culture of this country… we really are fucked, aren’t we? Still, doesn’t do us good to think like that.
I long for the day when we will see a CeauÅŸescu-style reprisal for the damage they have wreaked upon this country.
You might be in for a long wait.