There’s a race on, and no it’s not the Cheltenham festival. Should the election be held on the 6th of May as is expected then parliament will be duly dissolved around the 6th of April, which leaves only 10 days of parliamentary time to debate all the remaining laws trying to be passed. It is this reason that when the Lords finally passed the Digital Economy Bill on the 15th of March they spent a significant portion of time discussing the issue of the “wash-up”, or a (relatively) clandestine period of legislative discussion that occurs in the twilight between an announcement of an election being made, and parliament being closed down for the impending election.

The Government here has one hope and one set of plans, get the Digital Economy Bill through to the “wash-up” in such a way that they can add bits and pieces to an already illiberal piece of legislation without the proper scrutiny of parliament. Instead of our elected representatives ensuring that we are protected from bad law, it would come down to the front benches and the party political whims of the main parties. In short, representation takes the back foot in place of backroom dealing to pass the bills, even if they are slightly watered down in the process. It’s for this reason that we have to stand our ground and ask our MPs to ensure this controversial bill receives proper scrutiny. If they do not provide that scrutiny, if the law goes through on the nod, then the government will have every power to do what they wish, opposed only by the minority Lib Dem party and the Tory party who are surely not the best example of a party beholden to public democracy over business interests.

For those that are writing to your MPs, specifically point them to the areas of the bill that are problematic (and do so in your own words, it has more impact!):
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There has been a lot of fuss about the Digital Economy Bill online for months, rightfully so. However the current topic that is particularly concerning to opponents of the bill is the latest amendment, 120a, tabled by Lib Dem and Tory peers to replace the vastly more dangerous Clause 17. Clause 17 was the one which it’s argued could give dark Lord Peter Mandelson – or any future Secretary of State – unwarrantable powers to change British copyright law.

If you can’t remember the problems with Clause 17 then you should take another look and be thankful that due to yesterday’s controversial amendment getting through such measures are being weeded out.

I am certainly not saying the bill is good, or even adequate, in either it’s original or it’s amended state; indeed once the bill is passed to the commons I intend to go through it on Liberal Conspiracy in detail. There is a lot more that is bad about the bill than just the file sharing aspects, areas that will unlikely be debated properly in the commons as they have barely been touched in the Lords, and unfortunately barely touched in public opposition. But there are some things that need to be understood about where we are now.

1) Things like this amendment (120a) are not fundamentally bad, certainly not so much that we should spend all of our efforts on them compared to the much greater risks to personal freedom present in the bill.
2) We need to be careful not to over-react because we are ourselves making assumptions about the language used.
3) There has to be a distinction between the law and the practicing of law, and a realisation that no legislation on an issue like this can cover every eventuality.

So, why isn’t this amendment quite as bad as people are saying? continue reading… »

Health Tourists are the latest group to come under fire in the shooting gallery that is winning the public’s hearts before the General Election. Labour have here taken a problem (foreigners coming to the UK and stealing our j…healthcare) and turned it in to a somewhat solid policy idea.

Of course solid doesn’t mean good, and I need to make sure it’s clear no-one thinks I’m even slightly in favour of these sort of right-wing populist policies rather than allowing those desperate enough to get good healthcare using our country’s system.

As with all immigration policy it is hamstrung (thankfully) by the lack of ability to wage it against the European Economic Area (EEA).

But for the purpose of the next minute or so of your attention I am not really going to argue about immigration…this is about elections, and more specifically why this story is another example of why the Tories lead is likely to be slipping.
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It is documented that the human condition is generally compassionate and generous. Ask a person for their seat in a subway (where there is no predefined right to a seat) and half the time they’ll give it to you, even if you give no reason.

However put in to the mix a sense of ownership and expectation for ones own outcome and we become much more selfish. Jump the queue and expect evil stares, the odd comment, and the person you’ve cut in front of to get abusive.

This is the problem with population growth in the UK. When trying to find something to blame there really is a simple choice in front of you.

You either put your gaze on those that have just as much right to be in the position you are, or those you perceive are “jumping the queue”; this is why the stance of anti-immigration is the natural position for a population to take when faced with problems caused by population growth.
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Surreptitiously, and with a “not for publication” notice, the Royal Mail last week succeeded in shutting down a swathe of important community online tools

They range from helping you to find jobs like Job Centre Pro Plus to increasing democracy and political awareness like theStraightChoice with threats of legal action.

There are several posts already popping up from those directly affected, those indirectly affected, and from those supporting the idea of open source and free for not-for-profit use of the postcode “database”.

The question has to be asked, how much longer can the Royal Mail retain “ownership” over postcode information when that very information is, collectively, in the public domain?

Another site affected was PlanningAlerts.com.

They sent an email to supporters yesterday stating:

We are left with the choice of paying the Royal Mail up to £4,000 a year for access to the postcode database and either running a much less accurate and useful service or shutting PlanningAlerts down altogether. If are concerned about this, please consider doing the following:

– Write to your MP –

Tom Watson MP has tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament calling on the Royal Mail to allow non-profit organisations to use the postcode database for free. Please write to your MP asking them to sign this Early Day Motion (number EDM 2000) and protest at the actions of The Royal Mail.

You can write to your MP here: marples.writetothem.com

They have also set up a petition which has already been signed by nearly 1,200 people.

Here’s my (brief) story. I’m a web developer, I dabble in new web technologies and find it all incredibly exciting. I started web development almost as soon as I first got an opportunity to go on to the internet, around 1998 and years later I took Computer Science at A-Level and university. Yet despite all of this I was never at any point sure, not even 70 or 80% let alone 100%, what it was I wanted to *be* when I “grew up.”

One of the reasons for this was the feeling that the state of this world was not one for pigeon-holing one’s self; I’d started my journey with 28.8kbps internet, AOL chat rooms and over the next 5 years was entering a world of ISDN, CSS, standards and the monopoly of internet explorer.

The fact was that the world of employment and hobby could change very quickly, for the better or for the worse. For me a broad understanding of science, mathematics, philosophy and literature would provide for my future far better than becoming an absolute expert in the one field that I had such an affinity for.

So why, in this world of changing ambitions, vast opportunities for development and greater accessibility to new careers and education, do Tories want to propose to set up highly specialised schools for kids aged 14+?
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In the hospitality industry regulation has been so relaxed that we, as customers, may have been completely overpaying for the food and drink we’re buying. Yes, that steak may appear to be only £10 on the menu; however, thanks to lack of enforcement in ensuring that the tips we give to waiting staff are actually reaching those workers, we are at risk of willingly and “voluntarily” giving restaurants more than they ask for on the price of our lunch. We have no guarantee that those tips go to those that we feel deserve it.

So it should be with much greater fanfare that from next month our politicians will have set down the law that makes everything much more fair. That is unless you are the British Hospitality Association (BHA). If you are one of their illustrious sort then the response should be simply childish, petulant and threatening rhetoric about cutting restaurant staff jobs.
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YET ANOTHER EXPENSES RESIGNATION

Kitty Ussher leaves the Government, as TheTelegraph’s Augean project continues…

NATIONAL
Governor seeks more powers for Bank of England
Belfast Romanians rehoused after race attacks
Terror law used to stop thousands ‘just to balance racial statistics’

INTERNATIONAL
Mousavi urges more demonstrations for Thursday
New financial rules in the USA too…
Cricket attacker arrested in Pakistan
British ambassador attacked for supporting gay march in Bulgaria

DAILY BLOG REVIEW / by Lee Griffin

Timothy Garton Ash/CiF on the big story of the influence of Twitter on the situation in Iran.

Shiraz Socialist hopes that the days of faith based government is dying in the Middle East.

Gavin Hayes argues that is broadband is so essential, why is it about profit?

Himmelgarten Cafe dissects the digital britain announcements.

Freemania argues that Labour are setting their sites firmly on winning the election…in 2014.

Mark Easton tells the untold story of improved homelessness figures.

and finally, Political Betting has a nice graph of a recent poll…is Labour really least trustworthy on economic policy? Alternatively you can browse through previous Netcasts

There is a voting system that exists that tends to take away the meaning of your local MP as a representative, a system that allows a minority of MPs to greatly influence the direction of laws passed by the House of Commons, a system that encourages back room dealing and negotiations away from the public eye. That voting system is First Past the Post (FPTP).

For a long time now we, supporters of electoral reform, have spent our time defending the supposed negative aspects of good PR systems. We have to contest with the broad and misleading statements of the likes Cameron makes, and we have to defend against shoddy government spin of shoddy reviews in to the subject.

The reality is that it is now time for FPTP to be put in the dock, to try to put an end to the sort of articles that blindly make sweeping statements for FPTP. In this time of reform the narrative shouldn’t be why the PR systems are supposedly bad, but why does anyone think that FPTP is any better?
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BROWN MUST GO

Nationwide
Salford not in mood to support Blears
The Tories are suffering as well
Interest rate set to stay on hold
State of independents: alternative politics

International
High security for Obama’s visit to Egypt
India elects first woman Speaker
Swat fight ‘may take two months’
Upstarts ready to rule world’s economy

DAILY BLOG REVIEW / by Lee Griffin

Shiraz Socialist question (perhaps a little late) what you get with a vote for the Jury Team.

Calum S/Labourhome, with a heavy heart, explains why he won’t be voting Labour.

Tom Clark/CiF explains the results of the recent Guardian survey on political reform, even 40% of Tory respondents want PR…who knew?

Michael Meacher reflects on the recent history of New Labour, and blames Blairites versus Brownites for the current situation.

Mark Reckons is extremely confident that Brown will be out of office by the end of the month.

And finally, Starla Haze/CiF seems to want to start a fight with Laurie Penny; alternatively check out our previous Netcasts.

GOODBYE GRIFFIN!

Nationwide
Tory MP to repay ’servant costs’
Tory MP Julie Kirkbride refuses public meeting
Mystery of BNP’s election war chest
Stronger pound rises above $1.60

International
No exception on Israeli settlement: Clinton
US shock jocks: Voice of unreason
Taliban blamed for Lahore attack
S. Korea and U.S. raise alert level

DAILY BLOG REVIEW / by Lee Griffin

CiF/Sarah Wildman knows that now is the time for California to regroup to defeat Proposition 8.

Peezedtee is tutting furiously at the tactical, and misleading, wording of some Lib Dem election material.

Charlotte Gore laughs in the face of claims that Liberals haven’t done a thing to bring power to the people.

Snowblog muses on BoJo’s near death cycling experience, and the green transport future.

Sim-O thinks there are probably more important things EU spokespeople could be condemning than eating seal hearts.

And finally, SeeBelow on the comic industry trying to appeal to females, and failing. Alternatively catch up on our old adventures in previous Netcasts.

IGNORED BY LOCAL PARTIES

Nationwide
Hazel Blears rejects resignation calls
John Bercow says he’s ready as Speaker
IMF praise for UK recession plan
Miliband seeks coalition with Islamic world

International
At least 34 dead in Baghdad bombing
4 arrested in plot to bomb NY synagogues
Sri Lanka’s Tamils voice anger about war
Battle rages in southern Afghanistan

DAILY BLOG REVIEW / coming later

LDV/Alix Mortimer continues to push the electoral/constitutional reform subject, the time feels right for this to have any chance at happening.

Andy Worthington continues his amazing coverage of the scandal of our Government and their dealings over torture.

Shiraz Socialist takes Charlie Brooker’s views on the BNP and fleshes them out even more.

Himmelgarten Cafe explains why a snap election isn’t going to solve anything.

Mark Easton on why unmoderated power has been shown to corrupt time and time again.

Jock Coats thinks that if the House of Commons thinks forcing the speaker out is enough, they’re highly delusional.

And finally, Ryan Cullen was close to shutting down Lib Dem Blogs, an amazing resource for liberals to read each others views, if not for donations; alternatively you can check out the previous Netcasts.

A NATION OUTRAGED

Nationwide
Speaker of the Commons will be told to quit
MPs fear they may have to pay back expenses
Will voters take revenge and vote fringe?
MPs warn of ’slave trade’ in the UK

International
Pope offers ’solidarity’ to Palestinians
Reasons for Obama’s u-turn on abuse photos
Thriving Norway offers an economics lesson
In Afghanistan, the Pentagon reviews strategy

DAILY BLOG REVIEW / by Lee Griffin

LDV/Alix Mortimer points out some of the flaws in the Telegraphs blanket approach to disclosure of expenses.

Himmelgarten’s Cafe similarly hopes we don’t go overboard on what to criticise MPs for, especially when it’s not costing us anything.

Next Left feels there is a deep running spin campaign still happening over G20.

Millennium Elephant breaks down the expenses fallout in trademark style.

CiF thinks, as do I, it is time for the Speaker of the House to go.

Peter Black AM is one of a few to point out the Welsh student demonstration, and how lackluster the NUS have been.

And finally, Liberal Light explains why they want to be an MP, even after the past week; alternatively you can browse through previous Netcasts

PANIC IN PAKISTAN

Nationwide
Why is Labour still seduced by Thatcher?
Lumley in fresh attack over Gurkha rights
UK recession ‘worst since 1930s’ says body
Brown: Mail plan may be your suicide note

International
Obama’s $63 billion global health initiative
U.S. tries again on N. Korea nuke talks
German court bans very long names
Joe Biden pushes Israel to halt settlements

DAILY BLOG REVIEW / by Lee Griffin

Chicken Yoghurt details the moral virtues of our immigration minister.

Mark Easton turns Influenza A in to a philosophical musing on infantalisation of our population

Samedifference highlights the situation asthmatic children can find themselves in at school.

Lib Dem Voice looks at the figures coming up to the June 7th elections.

Jonathan Freedland/CiF comments on the all around bankruptcy of Labour MPs, and downplays Brown as the cause of their woes.

And finally Charlotte Gore is one of many bloggers to point out the Brown camp’s faux pas on BBC News. Alternatively you can browse through previous Netcasts

REPUBLICANS IN DEATH THROES

Nationwide
MPs urged to change Gurkha rules
Brown raises stakes in expenses battle
Phone bills ‘will rise’ to pay for database
Private funeral for Ian Tomlinson

International
US sets fight in the poppies to stop Taliban
European ministers on joint Sri Lanka trip
Sri Lanka bars Swede over stand on war
U.S. spends $1 billion a day on stimulus

DAILY BLOG REVIEW / Lee Griffin

Planet Jamie does some *phine* work in debunking the propaganda of Phorm’s frankly hilarious “Stop Phoul Play” PR-fail site.

Moments of Clarity is disapproving of compromise on the expenses issue.

Michael Tomasky/CiF muses on the republican defection, I have to wonder if a move towards a UK style absolute majority is ever “positive”.

Brad Hicks REALLY hates newspapers.

Next Left is extremely hopeful for the death of ID cards.

Mark Reckons investigates the significance of the number of people asking Brown to resign.

And finally Jock’s Place looks back to 1909 and the “People’s Budget”. Remember you can always browse through our previous Netcasts

TOUGH BUDGET AS DEFICIT HITS £90BN

Nationwide
MPs to get extra £150 a day instead of expenses
Released terrorist suspects face deportation
March sees 40% jump in house sales
Student studies affected by rising fees

International
Obama u-turn on torture culprits
Sri Lanka on brink of refugee crisis
China unveil nuclear submarines
Japanese woman sentenced to hang

DAILY BLOG REVIEW / by Lee Griffin

John Q Publican has a brilliant analysis on the mentality and actions of the police at protests.

Faisal Islam/Snowblog looks towards todays budget.

Chicken Yoghurt quite rightly makes it clear we are not anti-police, merely against their brutal and disproportionate actions.

Political betting.com wonders whether or not Gordon Brown will rue the decisions he’s made on expenses.

Himmelgarten Cafe on the creep of prejudice against fatties. Would it be acceptable if the same arguments were used against disabled people?

My blog has a quick comment on the release of the “terrorists” in Manchester, but more worryingly why are they being deported?

Plane stupid notes about further abuses of section 44 powers to restrict harmless photography.

And finally Science, so what? talks about the pressing issue of our beloved bees; alternatively browse through previous Netcasts

OFFICER SUSPENDED

Nationwide
Real IRA threaten new campaign on Britain
Appalling treatment of detainees laid bare
DNA pioneer: drop innocent from database
How Nordic countries celebrate young lives

International
Taleban leader risks his life to seek peace
North Korea ejects U.N. monitors
Somali pirates hijack 4 more ships
Germany bans genetically modified corn

DAILY BLOG REVIEW / by Lee Griffin

Jo Christie-Smith brands Labour as bullies with their recent “no benefits for Alcoholics” re-announcement.

The Freedom Bill website alerts us to a poll that shows a majority of people now against the database state.

Charlotte Gore thinks that the Lib Dem’s should definitely not be cosying up to anyone come election time, be your own boss!

Himmelgarten Cafe echos my sentiments on arbitrary detention and release of people, and how media portrayal only gives the authorities more power

Bad Conscience wonders why Labour must persist in banging their head against a red topped wall.

Innerbrat thinks we can all live in harmony with our views, as long as we accept people see prejudice where others do not.

Next Left discusses the legitimacy of direct action as a protest tool.

And on a more pop culture theme, Robert Sharp will probably be putting money on Susan Boyle. If you like this entry you can browse through previous Netcasts

G20: SERIOUS QUESTIONS

Nationwide
How police view of Ian Tomlinson death changed
Witnesses tell of dogs, batons and police attack
Now it’s time for justice, says family
Tamils bring their fight to Westminster

International
Obama presses Iraqi leader to unite factions
Protests in Moldova, with help of Twitter
15 years later, Rwanda remembers massacre
Afghanistan ‘rape’ law raises women’s rights issue

DAILY BLOG REVIEW / by Lee Griffin

Think you’ve spotted a blog we should be linking to? Email and let us know!

Himmelgarten Cafe asks what the reaction would be if a police officer had been killed rather than Ian Tomlinson. Plenty of other bloggers also outraged.

Sim-O points out that Phorm are keeping up the PR offensive for their ISP endorsed spy/adware.

Quaequam blog furthers the questioning of whether the right are hypocrites or not.

Neil Stockley knows renewable energy is the way forward, but sees such little commitment to the cost necessary to make it sustainable.

Mark Easton casts an eye over the figures for legalising drug use.

CiF/Duncan Campbell believes the Met have a lot to learn, a whole lot more.

And The people’s republic of Mortimer has a chocolatey rant, about a glass and a half’s worth; or you can browse through previous Netcasts

STORM THE BANKS!

Nationwide
MPs condemn Mandelson’s Royal Mail plans
Tesco tells shoppers to leave excess packaging
G20 protests: The laughing professor
MPs’ expenses receipts hawked by businessman

International
Right-wing Netanyahu sworn in as Israeli PM
U.S. senators move to end Cuba travel ban
Pressure on over Afghan women’s law
Shrinking Dubai has gentler face in hard times

DAILY BLOG REVIEW / by Lee Griffin

Think you’ve spotted a blog we should be linking to? Email and let us know!

Neil Stockley finds it’s hard not to focus on the MP’s expenses issue, perhaps to the extent too many “good” MPs are getting tarnished without warrant.

Andrew Reeves is concerned, however, that we don’t forget that the £100k+ expenses are actually mostly for funding their workforce.

Liberal Revolution feels that perhaps the Lib Dem MPs poo doest not pong, and the BBC is once again targeting them unfairly.

Simon Jenkins/CiF shows that the adage “If you are innocent you have nothing to fear” is utter bollocks, and now Jacqui Smith knows it.

Cornish Pip reflects on the future of social work and the truths about what to expect when properly protecting children.

The Sun Lies proves the Sun lies again, knowingly. Deliberate or are they just that institutionally slimy they don’t realise they’re doing it?

5CC on the tabloid language of “now”. All about religious firefighters being respected…

And finally Next Left looks lovingly at April Fool’s day in the media. Or feel free to browse through previous Netcasts

Imagine that energy prices once again start to soar in the UK, £1000’s added to the average yearly bill each year with the reason given that the raising of the cost wouldn’t greatly dissuade people from consuming energy. Would this be acceptable? It’s safe to say, I think, that there would be a huge outcry about the abuse of an oligarchies power. This is also how we should act to Vice-Chancellor claims that tuition fees should rise to £4k at least, and £20k at most, when the review of the “cap” comes up shortly.

Let us take Higher Education not to be a luxury commodity, in a world where so many more students are taking the higher education root (though less than the 50% intended by our government) and most from families that can generally afford the current charges comfortably (see the lack of proportionate increase of “poor” students in to the higher education system). It is now a necessity to go through university to show your skills, knowledge and employability for an ever decreasing number of appropriate jobs and average graduate salary. continue reading… »