Scratch that - good news
Like a muppet, I just lamented that there was not much happening. Then I got the Sunday Times and saw some really good news on the front page: Brown to allow Iraq protests!
After corking movie Taking Liberties, the Lone Mass Demonstrations, the Illegal Carol Services, Milan and Maya's attempts to read out the names of the Iraq dead by the Cenotaph, and many other determined attempts to point out that the SOCPA laws which prevented peaceful assembly to protest spontaneously outside the seat of democracy were rubbish and insulting to the voters of this country, we seem to have got somewhere at last.
Although it seems C4 viewers Most Inspiring Political Figure of 2007, Brian Haw and his peace camp is still looked upon askance and it seems that nervous nellies in the Commons need to barricade themselves in lest someone waves a placard too menacingly and goes off on one. ( They should try using public transport like the rest of us if they want a daily scare about who's fizzing with anger so much that they are in danger of self-detonating). Anyway, we read that...
''The restored right to protest outside parliament will be combined with plans to bolster the protection of the Palace of Westminster and key ministries and government buildings along Whitehall. The Sunday Times has seen a memo from Sir Richard Mottram, chairman of the joint intelligence committee, outlining plans to erect barriers, walls, balustrades and bollards around Parliament Square.
Brown believes the right of the public to protest and demonstrate is crucial to democracy, although he is said to be aware of MPs’ concerns that previous noisy demonstrations in Parliament Square have caused an eyesore and distracted workers in nearby buildings. ''
There are also interesting rumours about an inquiry into Iraq, and I am hopeful, after Brown's criticisms of the ISC whose 7/7 report was full of errors and holes, that we might be getting closer to an independent inquiry into 7/7 as well.
If so I will be absolutely overjoyed. I am crossing my fingers about Mr. Brown and am getting quite excited about what he might change for the better. It is very good to have some hope instead of endless cynical anger bordering on despair after all the disappointments of the Blair administration.
After corking movie Taking Liberties, the Lone Mass Demonstrations, the Illegal Carol Services, Milan and Maya's attempts to read out the names of the Iraq dead by the Cenotaph, and many other determined attempts to point out that the SOCPA laws which prevented peaceful assembly to protest spontaneously outside the seat of democracy were rubbish and insulting to the voters of this country, we seem to have got somewhere at last.
Although it seems C4 viewers Most Inspiring Political Figure of 2007, Brian Haw and his peace camp is still looked upon askance and it seems that nervous nellies in the Commons need to barricade themselves in lest someone waves a placard too menacingly and goes off on one. ( They should try using public transport like the rest of us if they want a daily scare about who's fizzing with anger so much that they are in danger of self-detonating). Anyway, we read that...
''The restored right to protest outside parliament will be combined with plans to bolster the protection of the Palace of Westminster and key ministries and government buildings along Whitehall. The Sunday Times has seen a memo from Sir Richard Mottram, chairman of the joint intelligence committee, outlining plans to erect barriers, walls, balustrades and bollards around Parliament Square.
Brown believes the right of the public to protest and demonstrate is crucial to democracy, although he is said to be aware of MPs’ concerns that previous noisy demonstrations in Parliament Square have caused an eyesore and distracted workers in nearby buildings. ''
There are also interesting rumours about an inquiry into Iraq, and I am hopeful, after Brown's criticisms of the ISC whose 7/7 report was full of errors and holes, that we might be getting closer to an independent inquiry into 7/7 as well.
If so I will be absolutely overjoyed. I am crossing my fingers about Mr. Brown and am getting quite excited about what he might change for the better. It is very good to have some hope instead of endless cynical anger bordering on despair after all the disappointments of the Blair administration.
Labels: civil liberties, politics, protest, Stop the War
posted by Rachel at 12:23 pm
At last, some hope of progress.
But really, they have concerns of citizens storming the castle and Parliament? Really?
Wait and see what is actually passed. It may seem difficult to believe but Brown is even more into political news management than Blair.
If you read the detail they are not talking about repealing SOCPA, merely amending it. Yes, it is progress, but all of the ghastly stop and search and internment powers will remain, and he is still committed to Id Cards and explicitly opposed to a enquiry on Iraq while the fighting continues.
Still, progress of sorts even if the cynical might say that it is a political sop to middle class, left-liberal voters who have deserted Labour for the LibDems.
You mean you actually trust a Labour politician? I wouldnt trust Gordon further than I could throw him which at 15 stone is a very difficult.
Gordon being the son of a preacherman is one not to trust on anything. I guess since you are on the Sofa with Iain Dale today you wont have seen panorama tonight
Nice to see you on 18 Doughty again today in anycase.
Hmm. After seeing Taking Liberties with my elder son, I will believe this when I see it. (I note your brief but important appearance in and contribution to said film.)
"Gordon being the son of a preacherman is one not to trust on anything..."
oh dear...
As a secular thinking man I don't have a lot of time for 'preachermen' either but I think of them naive rather than untrustworty. However to apply this same judgement to their offspring is somewhat irrational and to state it on the blog of a daughter of a preacher is quite offensive don't you think?
barriers, walls, balustrades and bollards
Go on, protest away. Have fun. Break a leg.
dc007 thank you for that I admit I don't trust Gordon Brown one little bit but the son of a preacherman reference was more Dusty Springfield than any sideways glance/broadside offensive at the blog owner and Rachel I apologise if it gave offence because it really wasnt meant to.