Good stuff

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:25:11 +0100

I've sent a letter to my MP, Doug Naysmith, but as yet no reply. Doubt it'll make much difference but like you say..can't say he wasn't lobbied.

Dear Andrew: 42 days

Jock — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:48:54 +0100

No doubt there'll be lots of Labour MPs muttering something about "none of my constituents lobbied me over 42 days" so I set about today just to write a quick note to my NuLabour MP Andrew Smith to ensure that he cannot in all honesty say that:

Jock Coats
OXFORD
OX3

Email: jock_nospam@jockcoats.org.uk

Tuesday 10 June 2008

Dear Andrew,

Whilst I expect it will actually make precious little difference -
shoring up a failing Labour leadership is more important than long
fought for civil liberties after all - but in case you currently find
yourself in the unlikely position of being able to say that nobody has
lobbied you to vote against the 42 day detention limit, let me rectify
that!

Despite polling claims that "65% of the population favours" the 42 day
limit, for myself, I do not know of a single person amongst my friends
in your constitutency that do agree with it. All regard it as an
unacceptable trampling over our ancient rights of habeas corpus and of
the very principle of innocent until proven guilty.

If I were being asked or told to vote in favour I would be examining
closely why people like the former Attorney General appears to be
against it. Wht British police require four times as long as other
countries' counterparts even before the extension to do similar work
(computers cannot be easier to crack just because they are in Italy
which maintains a 2 day charge or release regime).

Every change this government has imposed in the name of fighting
terrorism has been an erosion of existing liberties and protections.
Your job is to examine whether each proposal respects the balance
between liberties and the threat it is trying to counter-act. I
believe this one tips the balance and even if twenty eight days was
acceptable (it wasn't) extending it further requires extraordinary
justification that have not so far been forthcoming. Please vote
against 42 day detention, whatever "safeguards" you are offered by way
of "concessions".

Yours sincerely,

Jock Coats

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Good stuff

Dear Andrew: 42 days