New UK law: say goodbye to democracy

[andycookuk]

Whether or not you believe the current government would abuse this law is irelevent.

What if UKIP got into power or, the BNP (worse case senario). They would definately abuse these powers.

Should any government have this power?

AndyC

[Tim Morin]

Unfortunately, most people are not concerned enough to do much. Lack of interest will have it's price though. Who owns the media? Who tells us what we hear? Who do we trust? Politicians? World leaders?

The world as we know will be destroyed, and believe it not, it's the best thing for the survival of this planet.

[Mikefule]

No need to apologise for disagreeing! That's freedom of speech. And as I've said elsewhere, no one ever learned anything by winning an argument - including me.

I see from your profile you are lucky enough to really be 23; I just wish I was.

One (dis)advantage of middle age is you've heard that the end of the world is nigh so many times you stop believing it. Look at the fuss over bird flu. Looking back, I recall similar fusses over vCJD, necrotising fasciitis, and rabies. It was "inevitable" that rabies would get into Britain by the early 1980s. We're still waiting.

Likewise with various acts of parliament. The "sus" laws of the late 1970s, the alleged attempt to make Morris dancing without a licence illegal a couple of years ago, compulsory bicycle helmets (imminent in 1979, I recall) and so on.

My view is that all governments, and this one in particular, make too many laws. The dafter the laws, the harder they are to enforce. They can't even enforce the sensible one that makes it illegal to burgle someone, or the equally sensible one that makes it illegal to steal a car. 20% of cars in the St. Ann's area of Nottingham are untaxed, and more than that are uninsured.

Be assured that the first time that a minister abuses this power, the sleeping giant of public opinion will be roused. The media sometimes follow, and sometimes lead public opinion, but they never go against it - and the opposition is just looking for a chance to put clear blue water between them and the government.

One of my best mates is a professor. Great at theory. Can't change a fuse in a plug.

[Mikefule]

Originally Posted by andycookuk

Whether or not you believe the current government would abuse this law is irelevent.

What if UKIP got into power or, the BNP (worse case senario). They would definately abuse these powers.

In the unlikely event that either of these barmy minorities got into power, if they wanted such a law, then surely they could introduce one anyway?

No laws last for ever, and neither does the absence of a law.