The Scotsman reports today that Craig Murray who the students elected to the ancient post of rector at Dundee University, has given his inaugural speech. The rector has a seat on the university court - its board of governors - and can vote on issues such as its budget and annual accounts. The holder of the post is also there to provide a voice for the students, although other student representatives also have a seat on court - but have good reason to be more constrained in their criticisms of the University authorities.. Craig speaking in his his alma mater, was uncharacteristically outspoken in his maiden speech to students - which he made after the traditional trip through the streets of the town in a carriage pulled by students. .. see text of his speech below in full - The press office at Dundee University had refused to provide it, place it in the library or put it online.   more »

GIRL Guide Shannon Smith, 10, was fingerprinted by the police and fined £40 after marking a neighbour’s wall with crayon. The tearful little girl was also threatened with an Asbo.   more »

At an American University symposium on 9/20/07, Daniel Ellsberg said: A coup has occurred. I woke up the other day realizing, coming out of sleep, that a coup has occurred. It’s not just a question that a coup lies ahead with the next 9/11. That’s the next coup, that completes the first. The last five years have seen a steady assault on every fundamental of our Constitution ... Now look carefully at Brown's Britain. See the comparisons, the lack of proportionality to events around us, the new laws carefully constructed over the past 10 years, the moves towards a police state, the surveillance, in impositions into our daily lives by the state.   more »

In Brown's Britain, officials act with near impunity, no matter how much they misuse the laws created by NuLab. One of the fundamental freedoms of this land is being able to confront your accuser in a court of law. Why then are people making accusations about a man who has served his time for his crime, but still finds himself in prison, and those accusations are being withheld, misuse of the Terrorism laws, and the details kept secret from the man and his solicitor. This is Brown's Britain - and its wrong.   more »

The reality of living in Brown's Britain is nothing like the hype and spin we have been hearing this past week at conference. Brown's real Britain is one where the processes are king, where the targets must be met, where the people are in inconvenience. This - from Police Inspectors Blog is only one instance, there are many many more.   more »

Disturbing news if true, from the Stop The War Coalition: On Monday 8 October the Stop the War Coalition will be marching from Trafalgar Square to Parliament calling for all troops in Iraq to be brought home immediately. After a series of relatively co-operative meetings, the police now say they have been instructed not to allow the march to take place and that all demonstrations are banned within a mile of Parliament whilst in session.   more »