42 days detention and the EU - Oh sweet irony!

The Times is reporting that Gordon Brown may be having a rethink on extending detention without charge to 42 days, and that he has decided against using the Parliament Act to force the Bill through.

What could have changed Gordon's mind? He was fixated on passing this Bill to the point of brutally whipping his MPs in the face of a major rebellion and (allegedly) bribing the nine DUP MPs to vote with the government. He faced the embarrassment of shadow minister David Davis quitting his post to stand against the erosion of our liberties, and still he desired this Bill to be made law. So what could have changed the flunking fist's mind?

The truth is that he didn't change his mind - it was changed for him. And why he changed his mind is sweet irony to those who are opposed to the Lisbon Treaty and the EU's general interference into our lives. Back in June, Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe's human rights commissioner criticised the British government's wish to pass this Bill saying:

"In the rest of Europe the time [length of detention] is much shorter. "We discuss with governments hours, not days and weeks. "I have not found any government in Europe that has approved such a long period. "Even 28 says, the present situation in the UK, is long compared to the rest of Europe. "And my real worry, of course, is that this would be seen as a signal to other countries where there may be a move for them also to prolong something that we would hope would be as short as possible."

Now the Council of Europe's parliamentary assembly's committee on legal affairs and human rights has said that it had:

"serious doubts as to the compatibility of certain elements of draft counter-terrorism legislation in the United Kingdom with the requirements of the European convention on human rights and the Strasbourg court's case law. "terrorism must be fought with means that fully respect human rights and the rule of law, excluding all forms of arbitrariness. Injustice breads terrorism and undermines the legitimacy of the fight against it."

The Bill would have been most likely rejected in the House of Lords, but everyone fully expected Brown to use the Parliament Act to circumvent democracy. Isn't it just beautiful that the man trying to push the Lisbon Treaty on an unwilling British public, finds himself dancing to the EU's tune like a good little boy.

Gordon Brown - Death plot.

A fifth man has been arrested in connection to the alleged death plot to kill Gordon Brown. The threats by a group calling itself 'Al Qaeda in Britain' were spotted by Anti-terror officers on a Jihadi website in January. The fourth man arrested on Tuesday is said to be a white Muslim convert. If this man is found guilty of being involved in a plot to kill the Prime Minister, what does it have to say about the state of the country when a white British citizen feels compelled to take such action? What does it say about our foreign policy (from a British Muslim perspective), and has the extension of the detention without charge limit to 42 days had any influence?

The first three to be arrested over the alleged threats have been held for 13 days and tomorrow the police must either charge the men, apply for an extension of custody or release them. At the moment it all seems a bit flimsy, the police have admitted that they have yet to find any evidence of plot to kill the PM, they are just investigating the alleged threats. Saying that, at what point does a threat become a plot? If you say "I'm going to kill Gordon Brown" have you already started plotting his demise?

42 Days Detention - prejudicing trials.

The Lords constitution committee has produced a report in which it finds the extension to 42 Days Detention to be "muddled": "Far from being a system of checks and balances, this is a recipe for confusion that places on Parliament tasks that it cannot effectively fulfil and arguably risks undermining the rights of fair trial for the individuals concerned."

It strikes me that if you are a suspected terrorist, and the police and the government request that your detention without charge is extended to 42 days, then they are saying "we are pretty damn sure this person is guilty and we need more time to prove it" Such action would automatically prejudice your trial. Also, how can parliament decide whether to grant an extension without being privy to the facts of the case? It's a farce.

Tony McNulty - More like McNumpty - What a cheese.

Tony McNulty came out with a classic bit of spin today. It's the kind of spin that is so obviously a lie that it's embarrassing to read. Does McNumpty or his pathetic excuse for a party really believe anyone will fall for this tripe:

"Labour never believed a parliamentary by-election should be held at the taxpayers' expense to resolve tensions at the top of the Conservative party."

Let's set this straight:

All (but one) of the Conservative MPs voted against the extension of the detention without charge limit to 42 days.

36 (yes that's 36) Labour MPs rebelled against the government and voted against 42 days. It is a well known fact that it would have been many more if it wasn't for some brutal whipping and a great deal of arm twisting, bribing and begging from Gordon brown.

It is the labour party that is split over 42 days. In fact they seem to be split on everything lately. I can't believe that the media haven't started calling Brown - "Darth Gordon", seeing as he spends most of his time fighting the rebellion.

Labour are dieing as a party because they think the public are too stupid to see through their lies and spin.

PoliticsHome article on David Davis is a total failure.

The title of the post that PoliticsHome is emailing to political bloggers reads:

IT'S OFFICIAL: DAVID DAVIS' CAMPAIGN A TOTAL FAILURE.

I have to wonder if they chose that title in the hope of receiving the kind of reply I'm about to write.

They have produced figures from their PHI5000 showing that (in their words) the number of people who oppose 42-day detention has remained largely unchanged. If anything, it has dropped since his resignation. I don't discount the accuracy of their figures, but they are not the only figures available on this subject. To call David's campaign (officially) A TOTAL FAILURE based on their own findings is just a little misleading (to say the very least). If you were to read Iain Dale's blog today you would come to a totally different conclusion to PoliticsHome. In fact you could say that the campaign has been A TOTAL SUCCESS.

From Iain's blog:

A Joseph Rowntree/ ICM poll today has found that that 61% of people oppose detaining terrorist suspects for longer than 28 days. Four weeks ago 69% were said to support the government view on 42 days. This adds weight to the view that the more people hear about 42 days, the less they like it. The ICM poll shows that whilst 36% of those asked think people who may be guilty of a terrorist offence should be held in detention for up to six week, or 42 days, before they are charged or released, 32% say it should be up to four weeks, 13% up to two weeks, 10% up to one week and 6% up to four days.

The subject of 42 days has not been out of the press since David Davis resigned. Prominent figures from all sides of the floor have given David their support. Not to mention some very serious celebrity campaigners.

I would like to suggest to PoliticsHome that - while they may have a great site, an excellent panel of political insiders and a large public opinion tracker (5000) - whoever writes the titles to their posts would probably feel more at home working for the Sunday Sport.


UPDATE: ConHome have done something similar to PolHome.

The lords debate the Counter Terrorism Bill Live (42 days).

The lords are now debating the Counter Terrorism Bill (42 days). You can watch it live by clicking HERE.

Lords meet to debate 42 day detention without charge.

The lords meet today to debate the Counter Terrorism Bill. Obviously the debate will be centred on the issue of extending detention without charge to 42 days. Lord Goldsmith (former attorney general) and Lord Falconer (former Lord Chancellor) are to lead the attack on the Bill that caused David Davis to resign his seat. In one way, David Davis is achieving his goal of getting the crucial matter of our dwindling liberty and freedom debated. The Lords debate on the Counter Terrorism Bill would not have received the media coverage it has without David kicking up a stink.

There is little doubt that the Lords will reject this terrible Bill. For one thing, Labour do not have a majority in the Lords. For another, the Lords are not as easy to buy as some corrupt Labour MPs, or the DUP. Lib Dem peer Lord Thomas will also argue against the Bill, he said:

"Holding someone without charge for 42 days adds nothing of value to the investigation, prosecution or conviction of terrorists. "The government's proposals do not have serious support amongst senior police officers, ex-government law officers, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the legal profession or indeed, anyone who knows anything about the criminal justice process. "Gordon Brown's clinging to the shreds of his discredited policy in the hope that he can pass off this ineffective and unprincipled stance as somehow 'tough' on terror. "This draconian proposal will be defeated in the House of Lords."

I think Lord Thomas hits the nail on the head. This 'rotten Bill' is not about fighting terrorism, it's all about Gordon Brown and Labour playing political with our fears.

History is England, England is history?

History is England.
Law.
Democracy.
Votes for all men.
Votes for women.
One law for all.
Innocent until proven guilty.
The abolition of slavery.
The end of child labour.
Fighting for our freedom at home.
Fighting for the freedom of others abroad.
Human rights.
Equal rights.
History is England.

England is history.
ID Cards.
Positive discrimination.
Extraordinary rendition.
DNA Database.
Phone taps.
CCTV.
42 days detention without charge.
Anonymous witnesses.
Trial without Jury.
Asset freezing.
Restrictions on peaceful protest.
England is history.

Would Winston Churchill agree with David Davis?

Wise words from some bloke called Winston Churchill:

We must never cease to proclaim in fearless tones the great principles of freedom and the rights of man which are the joint inheritance of the English-speaking world and which through Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, the Habeas Corpus, trial by jury, and the English common law find their most famous expression in the American Declaration of Independence.

All this means that the people of any country have the right, and should have the power by constitutional action, by free unfettered elections, with secret ballot, to choose or change the character or form of government under which they dwell; that freedom of speech and thought should reign; that courts of justice, independent of the executive, unbiased by any party, should administer laws which have received the broad assent of large majorities or are consecrated by time and custom. Here are the title deeds of freedom which should lie in every cottage home. Here is the message of the British and American peoples to mankind. Let us preach what we practise - let us practise what we preach.

March 5, 1946
Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri

Could our Ministers be duping their own MPs?

If you have an unpalatable Bill to put before parliament, it wouldn't be a bad idea to propose a Bill even more distasteful. That way you could offer concessions to any rebels. Those rebels would feel they had won the battle and vote in your favour. What those "would be" rebel MPs don't realise is that they have voted for a Bill that they would have turned down on face value.

How many Bills have we seen recently where there have been a supposedly large number of rebels, and how many of those votes has the government lost after "concessions"? I can't think of any. The most recent examples would be 42 Days and today's Planning Bill. Concessions were offered in both cases (and alleged bribery in the former) and I honestly believe that both these Bills would have been rejected if they were presented in their post concession form in the first place.

Did the government get exactly what they intended on 42 Days and the Planning Bill?

Gordon Brown "bottles it" part 2. He daren't face Davis.

Gordon Brown and his party's response to David Davis's resignation has been truly pathetic. They can't even "bottle it" with any kind of style and they are dithering about when to announce their cowardly stance. Harriet Harman has just been interviewed on the BBC and refused twice to say whether Labour would stand against Davis in the by-election. What are Labour waiting for? I'll tell you, they are waiting for Gordon Brown to make a decision - I hope they are not holding their breath. Gordon as usual is waiting to see what public opinion is on this matter. I imagine he is pretty sure that he won't put up a candidate, but since becoming PM he has realised that he is absolutely useless at gauging public feeling. Therefore he will wait until the last minute to officially announce that Labour will not face Davis.

Labour are trying to say that this brave move by Davis shows that the Conservative party is split on its terror policy. That's funny because Davis is going to fight his campaign on official Tory terror policies. Dominic Grieve, the man who has replaced Davis on the shadow cabinet holds exactly the same opinions on terror as David, and come to mention it, so does David Cameron. How is that split? It is in fact the Labour party who are split on terror. On the 42 days vote, no less than 36 Labour MPs rebelled. It is quite obvious from reading the press over the last few days that many more would have rebelled, if wasn't for some arm twisting and last minute bribes. As we all know the vote was won only with the help of the DUP, who Brown says were not bribed. Does anyone, anywhere believe that?

David Davis is right. This vote was won in the most dirty and underhanded way. Any Labour supporters reading this should be ashamed of their party today. Gordon Brown has zero respect for democracy. This has been proved once again today by Brown saying he will plough on with the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty even after Ireland have voted NO. Brown does not want to fight Davis over our Liberty because he knows for a fact that he will lose. As the polls indicate, we are sick of the growing security state and we are tired of Gordon Brown and his cabinet.

Well done David Davis. From what I have seen around the Web, you have the support of the Conservative party and the majority of its members.

I'm a Terrorist and I claim my £3,000 - (I'm not really, I don't want locking up for six weeks).

From The Daily Mash:

MILLIONS of people across the UK are hoping to earn up to £3000 a day by pretending to be a terrorist.

With the government offering generous compensation to anyone held without charge for more than 28 days, enterprising Britons are already getting up to speed with key Jihadist phrases.Would-be fake maniac Wayne Hayes, a shopfitter from Swindon, said: "I'm just going to wander into my local police station and say, 'I think I might be a terrorist'. "Then, at the stroke of midnight on the 29th day I'll say, 'actually, I don't think I'm a terrorist after all'. Ker-ching!"He added: "I'm sure some people will keep it going for the full 42 days, but I can only get four weeks off work."

Full story HERE.

David Davis resigns - Campaign Video - A Hero is born.

As I said in my previous post:

It takes courage to stand on principle and put his political career at risk. I know this will cause some division in the party, but as far as I'm concerned David Davis has just announced that he will fight to protect my Liberty. He should receive the support of all free men and women.

Very well done David. You are my Hero!



All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing.

Gordon Brown's Monthly Press Conference 12th June 08

Gordon Brown has just started his monthly press conference. He started by talking about the economy - food and fuel prices. This is obviously not what we or the press want to hear and he is clearly trying to hold off the storm he surely knows is coming. He is going to face some very hostile questions from the gathered press. We want to know what bribes he had to offer his own MPs and the DUP to buy his victory in yesterdays vote on 42 days detention.

Nick Robinson got the first question and went straight for the jugular asking if any deals were done. Brown is denying outright that any deal has been done. I'll say right now that I believe he is a bare face liar. This will be the end of Brown if any deal is made public, and I am pretty certain that sooner or later, some some disgruntled MP or civil servant will talk. He will not leave office under his own steam - he will leave under a cloud and become Britain's Nixon.

Brown was asked whether he would cut the tax on fuel seeing as he is now taking a big chunk of money from the recent jumps in price. He waffled on, but did not say that he would cut the tax. He actually came out with what has become to be known as a "Brownie" - he said that the percentage of tax taken on fuel has actually reduced. If anyone can explain that one please feel free to tell me in the comments section.

You know, I'm going to stop now. He is just dodging every question. What's the point? Has anyone else noticed that he does not take follow up questions from reporters? That is a very smart move as he can spout any old rubbish (tractor production figures) and the reporter has to sit there frustrated, knowing that his well prepared question has been dodged.

I'll link to the video of the conference when it's put up on the BBC. That way you can watch him dance for yourself.

MP of the Day - Diane Abbott

Believe me I'm no fan of Diane Abbott, but by God she gave a fantastic performance during today's debate on 42 days detention. She was passionate, angry and pleading, but most of all she was right. The MP who followed Diane said she gave the best speech he had heard in the house.

Well done Diane.

42 Days Detention - The result of the MPs vote.

MPs are now voting on the extension of the limit of being held without charge to 42 days. How will the DUP vote? Who will win Brown or Liberty? Does Brown's future depend on the outcome?

I will post the result as it is announced. Brown wins 315 - 306. 36 Labour MPs rebelled. The DUP voted with the government.

After the vote, Shadow Home Secretary, David Davis, said:

"We won the argument, the Government bought the votes. "Ministers utterly failed to provide the evidence in favour of 42 days in the Commons, and the measure is likely to be rejected in the House of Lords."Amidst widespread reports of vote-buying, the Government did not have the Labour support to win - leaving its Parliamentary authority in tatters."

DUP are against 42 days detention?

A DUP MP has just asked Jacqui Smith if extending the 28 Day limit to 42 is going to make things worse when it comes to feeding extremism. Does this mean the nine DUP MPS are going to vote against the extension? If it does, I bet a shiver ran through the Labour benches when he asked his question.

42 days detention "sexed up" by the government.

There have been claims this morning that the government have "sexed up" the need for extending the detention without charge limit to 42 days. Nick Robinson reports:

Liberty's Shami Chakrabarti alleges that the government have sexed up the evidence for an extension of detention without charge to 42 days. Her claim comes because ministers have cited the example of two people alleged to have taken part in the alleged plot to blow up planes across the Atlantic in 2006. In these cases yet to come to court the suspects were held by the police for 27 and 28 days respectively - up to, in other words, the current legal maximum. Liberty's claims are right but their defence lawyer has revealed that the police had the evidence to charge them after four days and 12 days respectively, thus demonstrating that no extension of the period allowed to the police to question terror suspects is needed.

As Nick points out, this echo's the WMD claims made before the Iraq war. I think we all expected Gordon Brown to pull out all the stops to win this vote at any cost. And talking of cost, a last minute concession has been offered to rebelling Labour MPs. Any person held over 28 days and not charged will receive £3000/day. That's £42,000 for the full 42 days. So now we know how much our liberty is worth to the government. Our loss of freedom comes at £125/hour. It has often been debated - "What price do you put on freedom" well thanks to Gordon Brown, we now know. I'm not sure I'm very happy about the government being able to buy my freedom for £125/hour.

So Brown and his ministers have resorted to lying and bribery to get this bill through - are they really fit to run this country?

We have yet to learn how much Gordon Brown has offered the DUP to buy their votes. No doubt we will find out after the vote.