Reply to: Tonight the gagging law is passed

[darmstadt]

I presume you mean (as one commentator puts it) the "The Protection of Corporate Lobbying and Silencing of Legitimate Debate bill" which I posted about a few weeks back. This was originally known as the 'lobbying bill' and was meant to limit the activities of corporate lobbying and in fact part 1 of the bill does address that, honestly, no really, actually the bill protects in-house corporate lobbying operations from any kind of official scrutiny, meaning that a cloak of secrecy will still shroud their influence upon politicians but its the second part of the bill which is the real bastard. This is clearly designed to silence critics of the government such as charities, voluntary organisations, protest groups, trade unions and religions. One example of where this bill would now come into play is when IDS made his tirade against the Trussell Trust over foodbanks, the charity now would not be able to make those claims. I suggest that people also look at another bill which the coalition passed last year, the Justice and Security (Secret Courts) Bill. Basically this means that the defendant, which could be you, can be found guilty in a courtroom that they are not allowed to enter, on charges that they are not allowed to know, based upon evidence that they are not allowed to see.

[Bunk]

This isn't true.

I think you've missed the point of the Scooterbot

[SpontaneousOrder]

Maybe an example would help.

It is the wish of the government to get fracking underway in the north.

Protest about this policy and you're now breaking the law as of today.

This isn't true.

[d000hg]

Not really, even if I understood what you're trying to say.

[scooterscot]

Yes, I was trying to. 38 degrees does not could as objective reporting, they're all singing from the same hymnsheet as you.

Interesting the relationship between the defensive submissive and the authority who dominates and lusts for even greater control.

[scooterscot]

Do you think we can have the smart uniforms this time?

[d000hg]

None of the dailies here are reporting this (at least I couldn't see it on the Telegraph, Mail or Guardian) so it can't be that much of a deal.

Uless they've all been gagged from reporting on it

Indeed, he'll no doubt take the fact it's not being reported as the papers toadying up to the government.

[Forgotmylogin]

Yes, lobbying groups, including trade unions and charities, are being restricted on how much they can spend.

From May 2014, the draconian new rules would prevent non-politicians from speaking up on the big issues of the day.

No it doesn't. They can still say what they like. It does stop, for example, trade unions taking out full-page newspaper ads and billboards to support any particular party with the only limit being their bank balance.
Normally this type of law would be seen as a good thing - look at the US and complaints over the power of lobby groups there.

Perhaps take an interest in politics.

Perhaps you should.

[Gittins Gal]

None of the dailies here are reporting this (at least I couldn't see it on the Telegraph, Mail or Guardian) so it can't be that much of a deal.

Uless they've all been gagged from reporting on it

[d000hg]

How do you get that from the links you've posted?

Charities and voluntary groups raise concerns for civil society as controversial bill limits groups' spending ahead of an election

Neither article actually explains what the implications are other than limited spending.

I assume this is why he was loath to post a proper link, in case people read it and realised he was talking utter tosh.

[d000hg]

Perhaps take an interest in politics.

Yes, I was trying to. 38 degrees does not could as objective reporting, they're all singing from the same hymnsheet as you.

[Pondlife]

Maybe an example would help.

It is the wish of the government to get fracking underway in the north.

Protest about this policy and you're now breaking the law as of today.

How do you get that from the links you've posted?

Charities and voluntary groups raise concerns for civil society as controversial bill limits groups' spending ahead of an election

Neither article actually explains what the implications are other than limited spending.

[scooterscot]

Maybe an example would help.

It is the wish of the government to get fracking underway in the north.

Protest about this policy and you're now breaking the law as of today.

[scooterscot]

No link, no background on what this law is you're blithering on about. Can anyone be bothered to give a proper explanation?

Perhaps take an interest in politics.

https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/pages/the_gagging_law

Lobbying bill passes through House of Lords

[d000hg]

The government’s has succeeded in passing a new law tonight that will have a chilling effect on British democracy me dears. From May 2014, the draconian new rules would prevent non-politicians from speaking up on the big issues of the day.

What a nanny state. It is something of an outrage that a modern democracy can pass this in to law whist on the other it profiles individuals with their online data and eavesdropping on their communications.

So the next time our glorious leader makes a public statement, just nod like good little puppies.


From 38 degrees:

No link, no background on what this law is you're blithering on about. Can anyone be bothered to give a proper explanation?