The Tories were in disarray today over their stance on the big brother state and the use of anti terror laws being used for non terror purposes.
On the one hand, as we posted earlier Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve wants to make it easier for the Police and Local Authorities to make use of the Reform of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), to conduct surveillance on those suspected of
non-terrorist offences by removing all the red tape and any safeguards and oversight.
But today Eric Pickles, the shadow local government secretary, said: “There is
growing public concern over the surveillance state.
In the Telegraph, Eric Pickles has been telling us that under the 2000 Terrorism Act, a constable may apply for a warrant
to enter premises to carry out a terrorist investigation, but he then goes on to tell us that
“Laws passed by Labour have slipped in draconian powers for bin police to
enter family homes. On top of this, anti-terror laws now allow town hall bin
police to spy on law-abiding citizens.
“It is wrong that Whitehall is openly encouraging town hall bureaucrats
to fine people for minor breaches, like putting out rubbish at the wrong
time or not closing a bid lid.
Welcome Mr Pickles to the real world. Where have you been for 10 years. We do not forget that it was with the collusion of the Tories and LibDems that these laws were passed in the first place. Did no-one in the Tory Party read them before voting…..apparently not.
suspects, the powers could be seized on by council officials to inspect
ordinary householders' bins.
Wakey wakey…..
Conservatives has established that householders can face fines of up to
£1,000 if they put out rubbish at the wrong time; put waste into the wrong
type of bin; leave rubbish outside a wheelie bin; fail to close the lid on
the bin; or put the bin in the wrong place.
Well there we are, they have been asleep, no-one in the Tory Party did read the Bills before they voted. Whats that, just uncovered by the Conservatives? its only been law for 8 years…..ah, your just getting round to reading them now.
So just what is the Tory policy.
Is it to make it easier for these people to use anti terror laws to spy on us as outlined in Dominic Greaves flagship policy, or to to condemn those laws. (note: at no stage has Eric Pickles suggested that they would curb or repeal these laws)
What's the policy Mr Cameron, is it Greave or Pickles. (Yes, we have all noticed that there is not a peep out of David Davies after his sham election).
In another Telegraph article, Mr Pickles has another go at similar draconian laws. He warned that
as a result of “function creep”, increasing numbers of
householders will have to submit to inspections in future in order to claim
the council tax discount.
Function Creep eh. But that is exactly what Dominic Greave is proposing the Tories do by using anti terror laws for use on non-terror related suspects.
So is it that the Tories are inept (well they do appear to have been asleep for 10 years), or is it as we suspect more likely that this is deceit, the Tories now picking up the art of spin where NuLab have left off.
Nowhere, but nowhere have they said they will curb or repeal these laws.
Yep, those libertarian Tories. They're really interested in your civil liberties, aren't they?
We WILL repeal these laws.
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no comment untill now