We all know that Labour likes to waste taxpayers’ money, but we also know they like to breach the rules (you know, like ones relating to party funding). Imagine then the joy that must have gripped Brown and his increasingly beleaguered cronies upon realising that the Downing Street website afforded them, with the assistance of some compliant civil servant(s), the opportunity to do both.   more »

When Ripa was passed in 2000, only nine organisations, such as the police and security services, were allowed to use it, but that number has risen to 792, including 474 councils. In 2006, more than 1,000 applications per day were being made to use Ripa powers. The Act allows councils to authorise surveillance, obtain phone records and details of email traffic from personal computers (though not their contents) and obtain details of websites individuals are logging on to. It is logical to assume that in 2008, there are a lot more abuses of this disgusting law.   more »

The leader of the UK Libertarian Party today branded the ongoing debate in Westminster over the abolition of the 10p income tax band as "intellectual necrophilia". "As usual, petty point-scoring by the major political parties is providing a smokescreen behind which they can hide, rather than address the genuine plight of the poor and needy in our society" said Patrick Vessey.   more »

Old Tom does not come to the pub any more. For seventy five years his one great treat was to sit quietly in the corner and enjoy a harmless pipe of tobacco and a pint of ale in the inscribed silver tankard that the regulars gave him to mark his ninetieth birthday. Now the zealots have banned his pipe and taxed his pint out of reach.   more »