Comments on: More power to the people

By: thespecialone

thespecialone — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:29:44 +0000

Most people in this country nowadays have access to a vehicle and are therefore more mobile. That is what I was getting at. That is not to say I dont agree with foot patrols, they are very effective in a lot of cases. On a Friday and Saturday night for instance in a town centre you can talk to people before they get too drunk, or be seen, and it may make them think twice about their actions later on.

I personally would like to see more police officers around on foot or even bicycle. However, Labour have a lot of them in offices trying to meet targets.

By: APL

APL — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:27:04 +0000

SJB: “As far as I am aware, the UK has significantly more cctv and speed cameras than other member states.”

But many of the European countries have tolls on their main roads, you pay to get on the motorway and your ticket is checked when you get off. I have no doubt in my mind that this information can easily be tied up with the security camera that points at your vehicle, probably registering the registeration number and associating it with the ticket you are issued when you enter the toll system.

The European countries can track you without a huge number of cameras.

SJB: “I think the former because of this peculiar surveillance fetish that seems to have grown in the UK over the past decade; and the latter because it raises revenue.”

The Europeans have always been accustomed to producing their ‘papers’ on demand. They expect the State to be keeping tabs on them. Over here it is thought that we need to be ‘conditioned’ to the idea, hence the prominence of the cameras.

By: APL

APL — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:19:46 +0000

SJB: “ID cards were proposed by Michael Howard, when he was a ‘tough’ Home Secretary in John Major’s government.”

It was Howards support for ID cards that was the straw that broke this Tory voting camels back.

I wrote to the man and told him so too. Little did I realize then that he was too busy (words left out) to bother with the little people.

Reply: I have always been an opponent of them, in government and outside.

By: SJB

SJB — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:42:54 +0000

I think you may be referring to where a suspect is held under judicial supervision – but surely that meets the rule of law and is superior to detention at the hands of the executive.

You see, if this was all a wicked EU plot then wouldn’t the equivalent period of detention be similar in other member states? However, in France, German, Italy and Spain the period is just a few days: 6, 2, 4 & 5 respectively – not 28 (and a lot of MPs voted for extending this to 42 days).
http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/issues/pdfs/pre-charge-detention-comparative-law-study.pdf
(see p9; N.B. November 2007 report)

By: SJB

SJB — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:29:32 +0000

Not until just now I am not sure what that url proves, Denis – that the EU legislates in transport matters, perhaps? As far as I am aware, the UK has significantly more cctv and speed cameras than other member states. I think the former because of this peculiar surveillance fetish that seems to have grown in the UK over the past decade; and the latter because it raises revenue.

By: SJB

SJB — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:16:15 +0000

Denis: “As the first samples of the proposed British ID cards bore the EU’s ring of stars, it’s perfectly reasonable to suppose that ID cards are yet another example of something which “has nothing whatsoever to do with the EU”, when in truth it does have a lot to do with the EU.”

Our driving licences and passports now carry the EU flag, but these forms of documentation were a requirement of our sovereign parliament long before the EU was a twinkle in Jean Monnet’s eye.

ID cards were proposed by Michael Howard, when he was a ‘tough’ Home Secretary in John Major’s government.

By: SJB

SJB — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:04:48 +0000

The Energy Performance Certificate (“EPC”) is just one of the seven documents required, Denis.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/BuyingAndSellingYourHome/Homeinformationpacks/DG_171807
Furthermore, the homeowner may reduce his energy costs by following the recommendations of the EPC.

Most of the documentation – proof of title, local searches, water drainage provision – is demanded by our sovereign parliament.

By: OJW

OJW — Sat, 30 May 2009 21:41:33 +0000

“roads to be able to drive on” – hey don’t assume every taxpayer is in a motor-vehicle!

Reply: I assume that every taxpayer buys food, drink and other necessities that have been delivered by v an and lorry.

By: Denis Cooper

Denis Cooper — Sat, 30 May 2009 13:06:07 +0000

That link should have referred to this:

Speed cameras, etc, SJB – ever looked at the “Transport” sections on the EU’s europa website?

http://europa.eu/pol/trans/index_en.htm

By: Denis Cooper

Denis Cooper — Sat, 30 May 2009 13:04:13 +0000

And as for “increasing the period in which suspects can be detained without trial”, SJB, ever heard of “Corpus Juris”?

http://europa.eu/pol/trans/index_en.htm