THE ORWELLIAN NIGHTMARE CONTINUES

The government's proposed Bill of Rights has been criticised by civil liberties campaigners as "hot air".

Justice Secretary Jack Straw believes a written statement of "common values" will boost social cohesion in Britain.

But it is not clear if the measures set out in a green paper will be enforceable in the courts.

Unlock Democracy, which campaigns for a written constitution, warned it could become a "list of nice things" which the government would "simply ignore".

The proposed Bill of Rights and Responsibilities does not include the right to a jury trial or limits on detention without charge. BBC NEWS

In its green paper, the government argues "the belief in their fundamental nature is already so deeply entrenched, culturally and politically, and there is no fundamental threat to them".

It says it does not want to override safeguards contained in the Human Rights Act - such as free speech and fair trials - or open up "new areas of litigation".

But it says the "selfish and sometimes aggressive assertion of rights" can damage social cohesion and stability, leading to the creation of a "'me' society rather than a 'we' society".

"Key responsibilities" included in a Bill of Rights might include not claiming benefits when able to work, obeying the law, reporting crimes, co-operating with the police, paying taxes, voting and doing jury service.

They could also include parents' duty to look after children, treating public sector workers with respect and living "within our environmental limits".

The phrase that comes to mind is “pot-kettle” this Government has so far allowed the councils to “snoop” on us, has lost most of our personal information, has ignored the warnings months before the economic crash, has ignored the hundreds of thousands of decent families struggling with the recession, has allowed its own MPs to claim millions of our money in “doubtful” expenses, has banned protests within a mile of Parliament, has failed miserably in its duty to the people regarding the billions it has poured into the banks, and now it wants to ban “selfish and sometimes aggressive assertion of rights" which is a bit odd considering that this Government is the most selfish and aggressive bunch of “politicians” on the planet.

Jack Straw is not a minister for Justice, but a lackey of the “do as we say not as we do” brigade.

We don’t need a “Bill of Rights” what we need is for the Government to stop interfering in our lives and do its job.

"If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless and ineffectual." Frank Herbert


Angus

Angus Dei on all and sundry

NHS Behind the headlines

NHS-THE OTHER SIDE