My MP is Lib Dem:
Voted for a transparent Parliament.
Voted very strongly against introducing ID cards.
Voted very strongly against Labour's anti-terrorism laws.
Voted very strongly for an investigation into the Iraq war.
Voted for equal gay rights.
So I'm sure he's against this, but letter sent anyway.
Having learned of the Communications Data bill recently proposed to monitor and record all electronic activity and interaction, I felt compelled to make my opinions known. Britain has built up a reputation for being under constant surveillance already, and I feel it is the obligation of the people not to allow this to progress any further.
I do not feel that the sacrifice of privacy for the sake of safety is one that a people should have to make. The very foundation of a democracy is that the people have a voice and that the government is of the people, reflecting the needs and opinions of the populace. However, when a government steps in and begins to restrict the rights of the populace, that is fundamentally opposite to the values behind a democracy.
As a Brit I feel very strongly that while this is a country that I love, I fear that the government is becoming one that I no longer wish to live under. If an authority can monitor all who we contact and when, the location of each party, and even our location at any given point in time, we start to enter into a world that has previously only been warned against in science fiction.
I urge you strongly to oppose this attempt at destroying the freedom and privacy to which we are all entitled. This issue is one very close to my heart, and will affect my voting behaviour to a large degree in the future. In order for me to make an informed decision about both my own and my country's future, please respond with your views on the matter; as my representative in Parliament, I am extremely interested in how you personally and as a Party representative view this matter.
Yours sincerely,
William D Templeton
I haven't sent it yet - if anyone has any critique I'd love to hear it. He's Conservative.
Willeth on
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Someday they won't let you, so now you must agree
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You've read it in the tea leaves, and the tracks are on TV
Beware the savage jaw
Of 1984
Seeing as with many things, Europe sorta beta tests laws for America, it seems, is there anything a yank can do to support the effort against this?
Seconded
Not sure. But If you know any Brits at all, contact them explaining the problem to them. Or link them to this thread, or my posts, or the bbc news article. And tell them about writetothem.com
Thanks for posting about this utterly insane bill, I'll be crafting a response shortly.
Scarabs right, it's like that freaking Jo Moore e-mail all over again. I hate the mentality in government that a catastrophe is an opportunity to try to push through things that they otherwise would never be able to get away with. It's just nuts.
# Voted strongly for a transparent Parliament.
# Voted very strongly for introducing a smoking ban.
# Voted very strongly against introducing ID cards.
# Voted very strongly against Labour's anti-terrorism laws.
# Voted very strongly for an investigation into the Iraq war.
# Voted for equal gay rights.
Looks like my kind of MP, not that I'm Gay or dying from passive smoke or anything like that.
Haven't Voted Labor in the two or so Elections I've voted in and if this is the sort of nonsence that they like to pull, it looks like I will just keep to that.
Seeing as with many things, Europe sorta beta tests laws for America, it seems, is there anything a yank can do to support the effort against this?
Seconded
Write your congressman, mention the bill across the pond, state your concern that such measures may be intriguing American lawmakers, and politely request their strong opposition to any such ideas in Washington as part of their dedication to the freedom of the American people.
Seeing as with many things, Europe sorta beta tests laws for America, it seems, is there anything a yank can do to support the effort against this?
Seconded
Write your congressman, mention the bill across the pond, state your concern that such measures may be intriguing American lawmakers, and politely request their strong opposition to any such ideas in Washington as part of their dedication to the freedom of the American people.
as much as i think it probably wont be passed, (at least not until a big media event, i.e. another Maddie, to justify it) i still went ahead and mailed my MP. seems like with talk of ID cards and bills like this our privacy is under fire alot recently and becoming a growing concern.
ill pass this on as far as i can, thanks Lave for the heads up
My MP is SNP, and I'm only 18 (so just barely voting age), so I'd assume that saying something along the lines of "your views on this issue will greatly influence my voting decisions in coming elections" would be a good thing to say?
It is the Labour party proposing this, right?
Dr Snofeld on
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Zilla36021st Century. |She/Her|Trans* Woman In Aviators Firing A Bazooka. ⚛️Registered Userregular
It's so annoying to have a party that really can do wonderful things like the minimum wage, free museum entry, higher pay in the NHS, devolved governments etc when it puts it's mind to it. And then comes up with some of the most atrocious fronts to daily life in the laughable attempt at a "war on terror".
I think I'm in luck, the MP for Dundee East voted against ID Cards, Anti-Terrorism laws, Trident nuke replacements, that sort of thing. Anyway here's my letter, let me know if I should make changes before I send it:
Dear Stewart Hosie,
I have recently become aware of the proposal of the UK Communications Data Act, through which the Government would be permitted to record every phone number a person calls, the duration of their call, and their location. It would also permit them to keep a record of every website a person accesses and every email address they send email to. All of this would be possible without justification.
I write to inform you that I am disgusted by this proposal, and throughly opposed to this vast database of the public's personal information. The phrase "Orwellian" is bandied around a lot in this day and age, but it is justified in this case; the constant observation and recording of a person's communication draws frightening parallels with George Orwell's totalitarian state described in "Nineteen Eighty Four".
As my representative in Parliament, I wish for you to strongly oppose this plan to the fullest of your capabilities. This breach of the civil liberties of law-abiding, honest citizens cannot go unopposed.
Please respond with your views on this proposal and your plans to oppose (or support) it. I am 18 years of age and have thus only recently become able to vote, and I make no secret of the fact that your opinions on this proposal will greatly influence my voting decisions in the future.
I look forward to hearing from you, and knowing your previous strong stances against similar proposals such as ID cards, I feel confident that you will do the right thing and oppose this plan.
Right, here's my effort (nicked a few words and phrases from the others going around)
Dear David Cameron,
I have today been made aware of the Communication Data Bill and its goal to track and store all mobile phone and internet traffic, and found this news most unsettling. It represents a massive infringement of our rights to privacy, and further cements Britain's growing reputation for unnecessary surveillance. I absolutely understand the need for security and preventative measures to be taken to ensure public safety, but these steps go entirely too far and need to be stopped.
As my representative in Parliament and Leader of the Opposition, I urge you to take a stand on this issue and make it clear that a course of action such as this will not be tolerated. I would also be very interested to hear your own views on this Bill, as it is an issue that is very close to my heart and beliefs and will help shape my decision when called to vote in future.
This is pathetic on so many levels. It's like an amazingly overblown version of USEnet being blocked on our side of the ocean by certain internet providers. It's all a giant ploy. They say that the reason is to cut down on kiddy porn and piracy, but the fact is, THEY CAN'T CATCH THOSE PEOPLE! So what do they do?
This.
They blame EVERYONE, and they make sure that no one can do anything that could possibly be considered illegal. It's like nuking a country to kill a mosquito. (Ok, that's an oversimplification, but it's close enough to the reality.)
Welcome to the age of "you're guilty, NO MATTER WHAT, because you can't prove that you're innocent." Didn't do anything wrong? No, you just haven't done anything wrong YET. They're watching, and they're waiting for you to fuck up.
It's an amazing abuse of power, and I, for one, am dreading the day this becomes a reality over here.
I'm convinced that psychological warfare is a reality, and we're all under siege. Look at all the "GO AMERICA, RAH FUCKIN' RAH!" patriotic movies that came out in the years leading up to 9/11. (Yes, I believe it was an inside job.) Look at the show... BIG BROTHER. Gee, isn't it entertaining to see all these people who are being watched? Guess, what, now you are, too. Welcome to the show! You just don't get your 15 minutes of fame out of it.
I've recently become aware of the Communications Data Bill announced on Thursday - A database recording enough of our actions to trace every member of our society to an extent unprecedented in any democratic country today.
This is outrageous enough to warrant what is typically the hyperbole term 'Orwellian.' I fear that as many MPs are too old to have grown up making use of the internet and many more have a downright fear of it, they might not fully grasp the nature of their actions or of this bill.
As the opposite of that – a fairly young Briton whose entire career is founded in the internet – I find these plans distressing and worrying. It is something I would expect of the American government, but even stood next to the recent actions and policies of our current government this is a shocking proposal.
As my representative in Parliament I wish for you to strongly oppose this plan in every way available to you.
I’d appreciate it if you could please respond stating what your views of this plan are, and what actions you will take to oppose (or support) them. If you wish to know more about why I oppose this bill so strongly, and would like more information on my position feel free to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Alexander Donaldson
Are there any other people we can email to kick up even more of a fuss about this?
I think the major problem here is that they're normal people voted in to govern, not rule. It started with the EU thing but anything like this which infringes on basic civil liberties is not something that a minority should have any power over and definitely not something that should be even considered by overpaid fucking wastes of space.
Cabinet minister Geoff Hoon says that not monitoring mobile and web data would give "a licence to terrorists to kill people".
What a fucking moron. The worst thing the terrorists did wasn't attacking us, it was giving our politicians the ability to attack us on a national and permanent basis.
Cabinet minister Geoff Hoon says that not monitoring mobile and web data would give "a licence to terrorists to kill people".
What a fucking moron. The worst thing the terrorists did wasn't attacking us, it was giving our politicians the ability to attack us on a national and permanent basis.
That quote is utterly horrifying. Whats the saying?
'Those who are willing to sacrifice liberty for security, deserve neither'?
Posts
Voted for a transparent Parliament.
Voted very strongly against introducing ID cards.
Voted very strongly against Labour's anti-terrorism laws.
Voted very strongly for an investigation into the Iraq war.
Voted for equal gay rights.
So I'm sure he's against this, but letter sent anyway.
I haven't sent it yet - if anyone has any critique I'd love to hear it. He's Conservative.
@gamefacts - Totally and utterly true gaming facts on the regular!
But you put "record all electronic activity and interaction," now if he was for it (he's tory so probably not) he would just reply
"We are not recording ALL the data so it's fine. THNXSKAYBY!"
So maybe change that a little.
2009 is a year of Updates - one every Monday. Hopefully. xx
Seconded
Wii: 5024 6786 2934 2806 | Steam/XBL: Arcibi | FFXI: Arcibi / Bahamut
2009 is a year of Updates - one every Monday. Hopefully. xx
Not sure. But If you know any Brits at all, contact them explaining the problem to them. Or link them to this thread, or my posts, or the bbc news article. And tell them about writetothem.com
2009 is a year of Updates - one every Monday. Hopefully. xx
Scarabs right, it's like that freaking Jo Moore e-mail all over again. I hate the mentality in government that a catastrophe is an opportunity to try to push through things that they otherwise would never be able to get away with. It's just nuts.
# Voted strongly for a transparent Parliament.
# Voted very strongly for introducing a smoking ban.
# Voted very strongly against introducing ID cards.
# Voted very strongly against Labour's anti-terrorism laws.
# Voted very strongly for an investigation into the Iraq war.
# Voted for equal gay rights.
Looks like my kind of MP, not that I'm Gay or dying from passive smoke or anything like that.
Haven't Voted Labor in the two or so Elections I've voted in and if this is the sort of nonsence that they like to pull, it looks like I will just keep to that.
Sending an email to my local mp. Hurray.
: \
Thoughts of a Part-Time Hobbyist - A Wargaming and RPG Blog
2009 is a year of Updates - one every Monday. Hopefully. xx
Write your congressman, mention the bill across the pond, state your concern that such measures may be intriguing American lawmakers, and politely request their strong opposition to any such ideas in Washington as part of their dedication to the freedom of the American people.
PSN:RevDrGalactus/NN:RevDrGalactus/Steam
Alternative idea: Send me a green card.
as much as i think it probably wont be passed, (at least not until a big media event, i.e. another Maddie, to justify it) i still went ahead and mailed my MP. seems like with talk of ID cards and bills like this our privacy is under fire alot recently and becoming a growing concern.
ill pass this on as far as i can, thanks Lave for the heads up
It is the Labour party proposing this, right?
Until just now.
Removed.
And now I'm waiting for the confirmation email.
Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
This.
They blame EVERYONE, and they make sure that no one can do anything that could possibly be considered illegal. It's like nuking a country to kill a mosquito. (Ok, that's an oversimplification, but it's close enough to the reality.)
Welcome to the age of "you're guilty, NO MATTER WHAT, because you can't prove that you're innocent." Didn't do anything wrong? No, you just haven't done anything wrong YET. They're watching, and they're waiting for you to fuck up.
It's an amazing abuse of power, and I, for one, am dreading the day this becomes a reality over here.
I'm convinced that psychological warfare is a reality, and we're all under siege. Look at all the "GO AMERICA, RAH FUCKIN' RAH!" patriotic movies that came out in the years leading up to 9/11. (Yes, I believe it was an inside job.) Look at the show... BIG BROTHER. Gee, isn't it entertaining to see all these people who are being watched? Guess, what, now you are, too. Welcome to the show! You just don't get your 15 minutes of fame out of it.
Ugh, I'm so pissed off now.
Called to vote.
Like, some sort of veteran war hero brought back to duty to train a bunch of greenhorns for one. last. mission.
edit: should I just change it to 'when voting in the future'?
Sounds good to me.
Kill yourself.
Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
Are there any other people we can email to kick up even more of a fuss about this?
XBL/PSN/Steam: APZonerunner
Words cannot express the horror. Geoff Hoon, when asked how far he would curtail civil liberties, replied:
I'm fucking outraged.
What a fucking moron. The worst thing the terrorists did wasn't attacking us, it was giving our politicians the ability to attack us on a national and permanent basis.
That quote is utterly horrifying. Whats the saying?
'Those who are willing to sacrifice liberty for security, deserve neither'?