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Formally, you are in the company of Her Majesty
- but the plans are those of the Government Party...
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This is a Queen's Speech Special, setting out my positions and concerns, at the outset of this important legislative year - my plan is to keep track of implementation during the year to October 2003...
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Renewing participatory democracy Multiple Differential Uncertainty
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Editorial Note 20 November 2002 Queen's Speech A week is a long time in politics, and there is a already a sense of tawdry theatre about last week's Queens Speech - but it might nevertheless be helpful if I summarise my own reactions to the main proposals. Communications Bill I generally favour deregulation of the printed media, TV and radio, so you will not see me manning the barricades against this Bill - I am much more concerned with the absence of any public service broadcasting outside the BBC (State broadcasting) and ITV (profit-based commercial broadcasting) - I want to see much more public-service local and regional broadcasting, reflecting communities' keen interests in their own affairs. And deregulation would assist that, rather than obstruct it... Criminal Trial Process There are to be a number of attacks on the
tradition of jury trial - these are bound to pander to popular prejudice,
sideline
civil rights concerns, and try to enhance the Government's reputation for
being tough and nasty - these proposals (while not all justifying
outright opposition) are peripheral to the central issues of crime
reduction and the improvement of civil order - take a look at the position
of the new European Arrest Warrant This will implement EU-wide agreement to expedite the 19th-century procedures for the administration of justice throughout Europe - while it will pose some real problems of equity and fair play, we should strive to improve these arrangements, as the scale and frequency of internal European travel escalates. Sex Offences, Offenders While it is true that the Internet has opened up new dimensions of depravity which much be addressed, this technical tinkering with the apparatus of the criminal law will not improve our management of sexual dysfunction - there is no alternative to encouraging the re-emergence of closer local community networks, within the framework of which dysfunctional individuals are identified, assisted and their proclivities properly managed.
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"Antisocial behaviour" Tony Blair made great oratorical play of this theme. And we must surely all regret the nastiness of some of our streets, the incidence of litter and fouling, the appearance of destitutes and others begging. But is the right solution to tighten up the nuts and bolts of the criminal law, the whole apparatus of crime and punishment? I doubt it. I favour the employment of more street-cleaners, and uniformed community support officers to work with the Police - that's a thoroughly good idea, and I hope that the Government will stick to its guns, in the face of professional Police opposition. Designating more crimes, and triggering more prosecutions, will only enhance current trends towards an aggressive, vindictive society. We already employ more Police officers than at any time in our history. These new initiatives will prompt the further deterioriation of our civic order.
To ban Hunting with Hounds I regret the Government's determination to press ahead with this unnecessary measure. While I do not support the claimed "human rights" arguments in support of hunting, this is an activity causing little substantive disruption or threat to the Queens Peace. I would prefer to live in a society tolerant and liberal enough not to use criminal sanctions against those choosing to "hunt with dogs"... NHS: Foundation Hospitals I have tackled this important subject separately - there is much negotiating to be done, but the initiative could end well.. Universities: Top-up Fees Again, I have set out my stall in full elsewhere, Don't top up, pay up. "Regional Devolution" While the redistribution of power and influence is in my view the greatest single constitutional issue facing European society (in Spain, Italy, France and Germany, as well as in the UK), the puny formula planned for England will make a laughing-stock of Labour and of the man promoting it, John Prescott. It grieves to me to say this, but the grave inadequacies of Government thinking on this subject will bring great discredit down upon its head... Asylum, Immigration No details yet, but the fear must be of more short-sighted nastiness from the Government, playing to the racially-prejudiced majority, and seeking to attract the support anti-foreigner opinion - a prime example of the strategy of a Government Party, rather than a socialist party... As socialists, we must find the courage and the confidence a new, humane, non-discriminatory and egalitarian approach to the management of migration - see my own thoughts at DOMUS.
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