Is the UK turning into a police state?

[DavidUK]

Please read this first: http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/arti cle1129827.ece

[Dolly1308]

No ,it's turning into a Dictatorship (courtesy Mr. Tony Blair )

[jake-the-peg]

No in a police state the Government uses the police to enforce it's will in an arbitary manner and the police are not subject to the laws that normal population are.

This is something different. Recent legistation (and attempts) such as ID cards, attack on trial by jury extended imprisonment without trial etc. is an errosion (some might say attack ) on traditional rights that we've enjoyed in this country for many years.

We don't have a written constitution so the European Constitution on Human Rights is the only thing that can stop politicians passing whatever laws they can force through parliament - and guess what people are now calling for that to be abolished too.

It's amazing how effective drumming up a bit of fear is when you want to pass some extreme laws.

It puts me in mind of Robert Bolt's a man for all seasons:
Just replace "Devil" with "Terrorists"

William Roper: So, now you give the Devil the benefit of law!
Sir Thomas More: Yes! What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?
William Roper: Yes, I'd cut down every law in England to do that!
Sir Thomas More: Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned 'round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast, Man's laws, not God's! And if you cut them down, and you're just the man to do it, do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!

[Veggibear]

No - its just in a 'right state'

[jenstar]

Well of course. It terrifies me so much I literally haven't had a proper night's sleep in months. I don't think I've slept more than two hours at a stretch since the Lords caved in and passed the ID Cards Bill.

[Dizzieblonde]

It's a bit disconcerting that all these new anti-terror laws seem to be used predominantly against British political activists, but perhaps they are the only cases which receive publicity.

Like most dystopian visions of the future, a government is given its power through fear; it scares the population into thinking there is some massive threat that only they can protect them from, then uses it to justify stringent law and order and the erosion of civil liberties. I doubt any country would let it get that far though, but it all seems a step in that direction :os

[jump79]

I also found it somewhat challenging to read this article (no colorful pictures or anything... talk about boring).

To answer the question simply, yes, it will not be long before UK turns into a dictatorship under Blair, he seems intent on suppressing any kind of dissent from the public. Because, let's face it, Blair knows best, he can't be wrong and only God can judge him, not silly, common people like us.
The sooner he goes, the better.

[netibiza]

Having lived in a police state, I can only think that it would improve Britian. It is going downhill fast, with all these silly civil rights, and parents not taking responsibility for their children's behaviour.

I expect I'll be sued now....

[DavidUK]

Sequel to the previous link worth a read - http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/arti cle1152047.ece, except make sure the authorities don't catch you reading it!