Tuesday, November 23, 2004

ID CARDS ARE COMING.


This is it then – ID cards are on their way:

The Queen made her speech, and it included:

"My government will legislate to introduce an identity cards scheme and will publish proposals to support the continuing fight against terrorism in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
Legislation will be introduced to establish the Serious Organised Crime Agency, and the powers the police and others have to fight crime will be strengthened. In particular, the bill will introduce new measures to deal with harassment by animal rights extremists."

The Guardian adds more detail: We're gonna be getting "a central government database with personal details and biometric data on every person in Britain."
"Blunkett rejected claims that the mandatory government register of identity amounted to the establishment of an Orwellian surveillance system."
"Blunkett said he hoped to have the database up and running by 2008, after which time anyone applying for or renewing a passport or driving licence would automatically be added to the register and supplied with an identity card."
"He hoped it would be compulsory by 2012."

With it comes this:
Grauniad: “A draft anti-terrorism bill could propose juryless anti-terrorism courts and laws against individuals suspected of "acts preparatory to terrorism", and another draft will create a crime of corporate manslaughter.”

These bit worry me to:
"My government will introduce legislation to tackle the problem of drug abuse and the crime thatflows from it, and will tackle the disorder and violence that can arise from the abuse of alcohol."
We're gonna get "a drugs bill will allow police to drugs test people arrested for comparatively minor crimes and prosecute them for possession if any are found with illegal substances intheir blood stream. Councils would also be able to evict tenants who allowed properties to be used for casual drug use." Eek!!
"My government has always recognised the importance of clean and safe neighbourhoods. There will be further legislation to tackle antisocial behaviour."
New Labour are the most authoritarian government we've ever had - I've taken to calling them IngSoc - the government in Orwell's 1984. I hope this frightens people into voting other than Labour.

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