Just to preface this – I do not have a particular affiliation to any party. This year, after a debate about politics with a friend of mine, Mike Arthur – I am determined to properly research my vote time.
My local MP is the Rt. Hon. Iain Duncan Smith MP of the Conservative Party. So, when a leaflet came through from the Church End Conservative lot (be warned, the blog sucks… badly) with the opportunity to be able to meet him cropped up – my wife and I accepted. In particular I wanted to raise the issue about the Digital Economy Bill, something that I firmly believe should be close to everyone’s chest. We were both not sure what to expect.
The meeting was full of local people that were raising some rather mundane questions (recent planning decisions and the like). It matters to them, so they should raise it I guess. Then the candidate going for local election actually picked me out to ask a question – so I asked Iain Duncan Smith rather than her. I addressed everyone by pointing out YouTube in relation to the act – the minor detail that even watching a video that has copyrighted material could constitute a breach in the act – and that perked the interest of everyone to the rest of the question.
I asked Iain Duncan Smith what his or the party’s stance on the act is – his response was interesting. In essence he explained the rules around the next few months that should prevent the bill going through.
The part that surprised me the most… he came up to me afterwards to re-iterate that he would raise my concerns. He may, or may not – but he made an effort. It was a good 10 minute conversation – I was really appreciative of the time. A lot of people take the mickey out of the man – but he’s really not ‘that’ bad.
Even more surprising, we ended up being the last ones to leave as we spent so long talking to one of the candidate councillors. It turns out we were the youngest people there – and that made us attractive to talk to! Now… I’m 30, my wife is not much younger… so… wow. Is political engagement really that poor that it’s reserved to the old fuddy duddies? Surprising when there is so much going on that effects so many young people at the moment. Not surprising when politics really isn’t taught at school.
Next up, to try and get into a meeting with the other parties going up for election locally.
Iain Duncan Smith may have attempted to assure you that this Bill will not go through, but many believe it will. The predicted timetable for the next few weeks is as follows:
We’re coming up to Easter break shortly; the DEB is unlikely to be discussed outside of Questions before:
Tuesday 6th April: second reading of DEB in House of Commons. Gordon Brown likely to ask the Queen to dissolve Parliament for the General Election, meaning that debate will be cut to hours if not less.
Wednesday 7th April: three days of “wash-up” begins; any proposed legislation which has been previously discussed in Commons can be rushed through without proper debate. This is highly undemocratic and could see the DEB being passed into law without proper scrutiny or discussion. Amendments are not possible; parts can be deleted, but nothing changed or added.
This is going to happen. Don’t take your MP’s word for it: they want this to pass, and they want you to leave them alone so they can do it without being hassled.
So, if you would be interested in joing the Open Rights Group in presenting a heartfelt gesture of thanks to the people who brought you the tragi-comedy that is the Digital Economy Bill, we would love to have your help.
We think we’re being made fools of with the Digital Economy Bill; we think someone is making a mockery of our democracy – but now we’re turning the joke around.
We’re having a top secret April Fools flashmob in Central London on Thursday April 1st; as in our protest outside Westminster earlier this week, we’ll have flyers and placards: we just need people to help us out.
If you can’t make it, please pass on the message to anyone you know who might be able to!
http://www.openrightsgroup.org/campaigns/disconnection
@ Katie – Iain did use some pretty harsh words about the bill and the people that have bought it forward. Now, we all know politicians have a tendency to bend the truth (read: out right lie), but this is the first time I’ve heard any MP properly put down the bill. To add, yes, he’s not exactly the most high up in the house – but that’s not the point to me.
If he is representing me – that’s a start. Now, yes that’s one man… me going along to this thing last night was to get the man that represents my area to at least hear my thoughts. I hate this bill and everything it stands for – I have written to my MP as well as now meeting him on the topic. MPs hold surgeries – more should go to them.
Unfortunately I cannot attend the flashmob – I do hope it’s more successful than the last protest.