Comments on: Join us at the Convention on Modern Liberty http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/ creating a new liberal-left force Sun, 21 Mar 2010 10:02:17 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Modern Liberty… « Centurean2’s Weblog http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-35403 Modern Liberty… « Centurean2’s Weblog Sat, 21 Feb 2009 14:39:23 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-35403 [...] Conservatives also seem to be just about tolerated at this Convention this from Sunny Hundal who is running the bloggers corner on the day,( Old Holborn Site has not received an invite despite [...] [...] Conservatives also seem to be just about tolerated at this Convention this from Sunny Hundal who is running the bloggers corner on the day,( Old Holborn Site has not received an invite despite [...]

]]> By: Old Holborn http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-35195 Old Holborn Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:53:04 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-35195 £35!!!?? Who's turning up? Madonna? I'd happily pay £35 to throw rotten fruit at Shami and Davis after their shocking silences in the last two weeks. £35!!!??

Who’s turning up? Madonna?

I’d happily pay £35 to throw rotten fruit at Shami and Davis after their shocking silences in the last two weeks.

]]> By: darren http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-34424 darren Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:13:20 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-34424 I became aware of the event as aresult of yesterday's Guardian. I am both interested and I intend to particcipate. This country has a desperate need to remind itself that as the cradle of democracy it has a role to play (and indeed a responsibility to exercise that role) in remedying the appauling situation the world is in. Political apathy on the part of the people who appear to be more concerned with voting on "Big Brother" (oh the irony!) than engaing in a political process that took centuries of sacrifice to acheive the right to participate in, is no longer acceptable. Government, above all other forms of human activity, is the one in most need of regulating and checking. Those who guard our liberties and are trusted with the task of protecting our values hold a responsibility that is bordering on sacred. But "who shall guard the guards?" To my mind the answer is everyone of us who has, until prehaps recently, taken it for granted that this delicate and precious way of life will continue forever because it is our automatic birth right now has a responsibility to engage in the debate. I am greatly heartened to see this event being organised and equally cheered by the participation of the caliber of persons such as Geoffrey Robertson, Helena Kennedy , Quitin Skinner and Dominic Raab. Lets not forget the words of one of our more conservative political thinkers "all that is require for the triumph of evil is that good men shall do nothing" Edmund Burke. I became aware of the event as aresult of yesterday’s Guardian. I am both interested and I intend to particcipate.

This country has a desperate need to remind itself that as the cradle of democracy it has a role to play (and indeed a responsibility to exercise that role) in remedying the appauling situation the world is in.

Political apathy on the part of the people who appear to be more concerned with voting on “Big Brother” (oh the irony!) than engaing in a political process that took centuries of sacrifice to acheive the right to participate in, is no longer acceptable.

Government, above all other forms of human activity, is the one in most need of regulating and checking. Those who guard our liberties and are trusted with the task of protecting our values hold a responsibility that is bordering on sacred.

But “who shall guard the guards?”

To my mind the answer is everyone of us who has, until prehaps recently, taken it for granted that this delicate and precious way of life will continue forever because it is our automatic birth right now has a responsibility to engage in the debate.

I am greatly heartened to see this event being organised and equally cheered by the participation of the caliber of persons such as Geoffrey Robertson, Helena Kennedy , Quitin Skinner and Dominic Raab.

Lets not forget the words of one of our more conservative political thinkers

“all that is require for the triumph of evil is that good men shall do nothing”

Edmund Burke.

]]> By: Campaign for an English Parliament » Blog Archive » PRESS RELEASE: The Convention on Modern Liberty http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-32755 Campaign for an English Parliament » Blog Archive » PRESS RELEASE: The Convention on Modern Liberty Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:39:09 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-32755 [...] out the Guardian’s excellent Liberty Central. And if you are a blogger then then check out Sunny and James at Liberal [...] [...] out the Guardian’s excellent Liberty Central. And if you are a blogger then then check out Sunny and James at Liberal [...]

]]> By: martin http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-31307 martin Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:30:15 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-31307 The habit of banning is difficult to throw off, I wish I could be there, but I know I would get far to a hostile reaction. The habit of banning is difficult to throw off, I wish I could be there, but I know I would get far to a hostile reaction.

]]> By: Robert Sharp » Blog Archive » The Convention on Modern Liberty http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-31076 Robert Sharp » Blog Archive » The Convention on Modern Liberty Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:41:51 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-31076 [...] your friends, spread the word, and buy a ticket.  That other site of mine, LiberalConspiracy, is a supporter [...] [...] your friends, spread the word, and buy a ticket.  That other site of mine, LiberalConspiracy, is a supporter [...]

]]> By: Convention launched - Anthony’s speech :: Modern Liberty http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30909 Convention launched - Anthony’s speech :: Modern Liberty Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:13:51 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30909 [...] the energy, intelligence, skills and cool of the under 35s. Just take a look at Sunny Hundal’s recent post on Liberal Conspiracy and the comments that follow – and Sunny will be running a bloggers’ [...] [...] the energy, intelligence, skills and cool of the under 35s. Just take a look at Sunny Hundal’s recent post on Liberal Conspiracy and the comments that follow – and Sunny will be running a bloggers’ [...]

]]> By: Sunny Hundal http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30851 Sunny Hundal Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:54:53 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30851 habeas - there will be coordinated action across the country so don't feel left out... see the website on how you can do something locally... we want to make this a national event. habeas – there will be coordinated action across the country so don’t feel left out… see the website on how you can do something locally… we want to make this a national event.

]]> By: Jonathan Best http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30838 Jonathan Best Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:22:37 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30838 Got my ticket and looking forward to it. Henry Porter is the dogs bollocks I reckon. Just keeps plugging away at the subject until people have started to listen - and now act. The possibility of neutralizing this government's tendency towards authoritarianism is pretty unlikely though, so what are we prepared to do to stop this? Vote tory? Now that scares the hell out of me. Got my ticket and looking forward to it. Henry Porter is the dogs bollocks I reckon. Just keeps plugging away at the subject until people have started to listen – and now act.
The possibility of neutralizing this government’s tendency towards authoritarianism is pretty unlikely though, so what are we prepared to do to stop this? Vote tory?
Now that scares the hell out of me.

]]> By: Habeas Corpus http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30805 Habeas Corpus Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:04:18 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30805 First of all, let me just say that the protection of civil liberties is a must for any democratic state and therefore is something that i obviously feel strongly about. Living in the northeast i'm curious as to details of the linked events, although i can't help but i feel somehow disadvanatged what with still being in school (well 6th form) as travel is an issue. Any help, particularly from people living in the northeast on what would be the cheapest option would be much apppreciated. On a sidenote this is the first time i've stumbled on this site and i must say it's refreshing most of the people i know personnaly, either wern't concerned or didnt care about id cards,goverment databases or any similar issues. First of all, let me just say that the protection of civil liberties is a must for any democratic state and therefore is something that i obviously feel strongly about. Living in the northeast i’m curious as to details of the linked events, although i can’t help but i feel somehow disadvanatged what with still being in school (well 6th form) as travel is an issue. Any help, particularly from people living in the northeast on what would be the cheapest option would be much apppreciated. On a sidenote this is the first time i’ve stumbled on this site and i must say it’s refreshing most of the people i know personnaly, either wern’t concerned or didnt care about id cards,goverment databases or any similar issues.

]]> By: Toque http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30770 Toque Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:16:45 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30770 I'll be there. I’ll be there.

]]> By: Andrew Adams http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30632 Andrew Adams Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:45:36 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30632 <i>Leon - Yes the £35 includes both lunch and teas and coffees.</i> Well that's sold it to me - I've booked my ticket ;0) Leon – Yes the £35 includes both lunch and teas and coffees.

Well that’s sold it to me – I’ve booked my ticket

;0)

]]> By: ukliberty http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30631 ukliberty Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:27:56 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30631 marc @ 45, we must indeed be very wary of policy laundering via the EU. The reason for doing it is that it shifts blame for possibly politically damaging proposals from our Government to 'the EU', such that the vast majority of people will think "EU interfering with us again" rather than our very own Beloved Leaders, and that it is sometimes easier to get such things done using the EU than domestic legislatures. marc @ 45, we must indeed be very wary of policy laundering via the EU. The reason for doing it is that it shifts blame for possibly politically damaging proposals from our Government to ‘the EU’, such that the vast majority of people will think “EU interfering with us again” rather than our very own Beloved Leaders, and that it is sometimes easier to get such things done using the EU than domestic legislatures.

]]> By: Guy Aitchison http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30624 Guy Aitchison Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:44:06 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30624 Leon - Yes the £35 includes both lunch and teas and coffees. marc - thanks for this, agree the EU is an important and frequently neglected part of this debate. Tony Bunyan of Statewatch will be speaking on this. http://www.modernliberty.net/programme/morning-sessions/the-database-state Leon – Yes the £35 includes both lunch and teas and coffees.

marc – thanks for this, agree the EU is an important and frequently neglected part of this debate. Tony Bunyan of Statewatch will be speaking on this.

http://www.modernliberty.net/programme/morning-sessions/the-database-state

]]> By: marc glendening http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30619 marc glendening Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:17:02 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30619 I have just found out about the Convention and am very excited by the thought of a large number of civil liberties groups coming together to fight ID cards, ever increasing state surveillance and so on. The fight for basic liberties must, however, must not just focus on what our current government is doing but what is being visited upon us in this policy area by the European Union as well. The new EU data retention directive will be introduced shortly here without any parliamentary debate by a statutary instrument included under the European Communities Act 1972. Our government, of course, is an enthusiastic backer of this measure and lobbied for it behind the scenes in the Council of Ministers so we have to assume a similar law would have been introduced anyway. However, the significance of it being initiated through a directive is that no future Tory or Lib Dem government, coalition will be able to reverse this measure. Once passed, it will effectively be taken off the political agenda whether we as citizens want it to be or not. Those organising the Convention will hopefully take into account the growing authoritarainsim of the supranational, as well as national, state. I have just found out about the Convention and am very excited by the thought of a large number of civil liberties groups coming together to fight ID cards, ever increasing state surveillance and so on. The fight for basic liberties must, however, must not just focus on what our current government is doing but what is being visited upon us in this policy area by the European Union as well. The new EU data retention directive will be introduced shortly here without any parliamentary debate by a statutary instrument included under the European Communities Act 1972. Our government, of course, is an enthusiastic backer of this measure and lobbied for it behind the scenes in the Council of Ministers so we have to assume a similar law would have been introduced anyway. However, the significance of it being initiated through a directive is that no future Tory or Lib Dem government, coalition will be able to reverse this measure. Once passed, it will effectively be taken off the political agenda whether we as citizens want it to be or not. Those organising the Convention will hopefully take into account the growing authoritarainsim of the supranational, as well as national, state.

]]> By: Leon http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30614 Leon Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:34:49 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30614 Does the £35 include lunch? And coffees? Does the £35 include lunch? And coffees?

]]> By: Guy Aitchison http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30605 Guy Aitchison Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:47:54 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30605 Tory - we're certainly not trying to portray the right as being against liberty. A look at the Convention website will show you that we're aiming to be genuinely cross-party. One of the first videos we've shot for the site (which will go up next week) is a great video by Peter Oborne. Sunny has also made one. Tory – we’re certainly not trying to portray the right as being against liberty. A look at the Convention website will show you that we’re aiming to be genuinely cross-party. One of the first videos we’ve shot for the site (which will go up next week) is a great video by Peter Oborne. Sunny has also made one.

]]> By: tory http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30603 tory Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:31:44 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30603 A quibble - can you please try to stop portraying 'the right' as being against liberty? As a rightist myself, I support the freedom of the law-abiding individual to do as he pleases. Perhaps you disagree with fox-hunting or gun ownership but do these things not qualify as part of the broader spectrum of liberty? A quibble – can you please try to stop portraying ‘the right’ as being against liberty? As a rightist myself, I support the freedom of the law-abiding individual to do as he pleases. Perhaps you disagree with fox-hunting or gun ownership but do these things not qualify as part of the broader spectrum of liberty?

]]> By: Anthony Barnett http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30591 Anthony Barnett Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:44:35 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30591 Hey everyone: many thanks for a great post Sunny. Pockets first, these events cost a lot and this one is subsidised by grants etc, the £35, or £20 if you are unwaged or a student, includes sany and fruit lunch - and am and pm teas and coffee, which cost all in all about £10 a head. We could have not included them but then everyone spends half their time between events waiting in line, to pay for a cup of tea. In my experience the best moments are often meeting people between panels so we decided to include catering and not police the food. The ticket price is very inexpensive. More imp - how can people participate if they can't come to the London or a linked event on the day? How do we link the issues, change public attitudes and make a wider impact? On 'Modern'. Well, I just don't think we should surrender the future to New Labour. Sure, they have devalued the word 'modern' but we needed a way to say that we want to draw on the traditions of liberty but not be seen as being exclusive or thinking that there are not big modern (there you go!) challenges in terms of IT etc. Hey everyone: many thanks for a great post Sunny. Pockets first, these events cost a lot and this one is subsidised by grants etc, the £35, or £20 if you are unwaged or a student, includes sany and fruit lunch – and am and pm teas and coffee, which cost all in all about £10 a head. We could have not included them but then everyone spends half their time between events waiting in line, to pay for a cup of tea. In my experience the best moments are often meeting people between panels so we decided to include catering and not police the food. The ticket price is very inexpensive.

More imp – how can people participate if they can’t come to the London or a linked event on the day? How do we link the issues, change public attitudes and make a wider impact?

On ‘Modern’. Well, I just don’t think we should surrender the future to New Labour. Sure, they have devalued the word ‘modern’ but we needed a way to say that we want to draw on the traditions of liberty but not be seen as being exclusive or thinking that there are not big modern (there you go!) challenges in terms of IT etc.

]]> By: Guy Aitchison http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30586 Guy Aitchison Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:30:30 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30586 We've tried to keep the ticket price as low as possible and they are heavily subsidised. It's 20 if you're unwaged or a student and there's a group discount too (details on the website) and as James points out the regional and national meetings are free. We’ve tried to keep the ticket price as low as possible and they are heavily subsidised. It’s 20 if you’re unwaged or a student and there’s a group discount too (details on the website) and as James points out the regional and national meetings are free.

]]> By: James Graham http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30578 James Graham Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:24:50 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30578 Participation at the regional and national parallel sessions which we are currently in the process of setting up will be free - plus obviously you won't have to travel to London. Participation at the regional and national parallel sessions which we are currently in the process of setting up will be free – plus obviously you won’t have to travel to London.

]]> By: Alisdair Cameron http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30574 Alisdair Cameron Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:50:19 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30574 Sorry, bollocksed up that link: it's on the Guardian site, anyhow... Sorry, bollocksed up that link: it’s on the Guardian site, anyhow…

]]> By: Alisdair Cameron http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30573 Alisdair Cameron Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:49:29 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30573 Travel costs alone mean that there won't be too may folk from the frozen North of England, let alone Scotland, Wales, N.I.. travel time also dictates having to find accommodation for the night, or attend for only about 45 minutes. Any chance of 'satellite' events for us <i>'provincial'</i> types, who believe it or not are also subject to illiberal authoritarianism (often <i>unreported</i> as it's not happening in London town), who by the by also happen to make up the vast majority of the population. More timely than ever, given Straw is trying to bloody well sneak back the idea of private (i.e. cover-up) inquests: <a href="http://http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jan/14/jack-straw-terrorism-criminal-justice" rel="nofollow">http://http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jan/14/jack-straw-terrorism-criminal-justice</a> Travel costs alone mean that there won’t be too may folk from the frozen North of England, let alone Scotland, Wales, N.I.. travel time also dictates having to find accommodation for the night, or attend for only about 45 minutes.

Any chance of ’satellite’ events for us ‘provincial’ types, who believe it or not are also subject to illiberal authoritarianism (often unreported as it’s not happening in London town), who by the by also happen to make up the vast majority of the population.

More timely than ever, given Straw is trying to bloody well sneak back the idea of private (i.e. cover-up) inquests:
http://http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jan/14/jack-straw-terrorism-criminal-justice

]]> By: Andrew Adams http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30540 Andrew Adams Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:45:58 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30540 Kate, yes fair point. It is only £20 for concessions but I guess that's still a fair bit if you don't have a job, especially if you add travel costs. Kate, yes fair point. It is only £20 for concessions but I guess that’s still a fair bit if you don’t have a job, especially if you add travel costs.

]]> By: Kate Belgrave http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/01/13/join-us-at-the-covention-on-modern-liberty/#comment-30538 Kate Belgrave Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:36:46 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=1887#comment-30538 ... point being, Andrew, that you've got job. So have I, fortunately, but there's a recession on and all, and already one person has indicated that the cost will be a bit high for him. I was just a bit surprised to find a supposedly inclusive event with a price tag of some substance, and I wondered if it meant that some people wouldn't be able to attend. … point being, Andrew, that you’ve got job. So have I, fortunately, but there’s a recession on and all, and already one person has indicated that the cost will be a bit high for him. I was just a bit surprised to find a supposedly inclusive event with a price tag of some substance, and I wondered if it meant that some people wouldn’t be able to attend.

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