Surveillance society

TrevorH

The story is that after 10 years nearly 11 of Labour, parents are lying through their teeth to get children into their school of choice.

By the way how do you think benefit cheats are caught? Do we wait for them to confess?

Christopher

The report in the Telegraph is misleading. RIPA did not give any powers to local authoriities. It restricted the use of powers they already had.

C Powell

More of this is exactly what we can expect if Labour have their way with ID cards and the rest of their noxious surveillance state. Whatever promises they make about how the powers will only be used for limited purposes are worthless. If you create the powers, they will be used - and misused. That is why those who are in favour of ID cards are so wrong: we all have something to fear from the state spying on us. A decade of Labour and we have lost any concept of public servants being exactly that - servants of the public, to serve them. Instead, we have puffed up, authoritarian bully boys who think they are the masters and have the right to boss us around over every little thing. There is a cause here for the Tories: roll back the state / reinstate the concept of liberty and freedom / make the state serve us and not the other way around / dismantle the apparatus of the surveillance state and concentrate on the real threats. Dave: are you listening?

Caroline

Here's a thoughtful and considered take on this 'story' Peter. But here's hoping it won't be a distraction or ruin any ingrained prejudices?

http://www.bobpiper.co.uk/2008/04/weekending_1.php#comments

Ann

Hear hear, C Powell!

Augustus

If local councils feel that they should investigate potential Council Tax cheats, Benefits cheats, Applications cheats etc., they will have been able to do so without the relevant RIPA Act in any case.

John Fisher

At least such action (foolish and disproportionate though it may be) by public authorities is regulated (by the said act) and redress is possible.

Similar action taken by journalists and by private investigators acting for commercial organisations is by contrast quite unaccountable and generally escapes attention.

dexey

I don't find it a problem if technology is used to catch liars and cheats. Let that pass and other crimes become less serious.
Let's encourage honesty in all things.

Stan, UK

Local government are a disgrace, and to think the tories are constantly banging on about devolving power to local councils etc, no thanks let central government keep the powers at least they are accountable.

Cindy

And to think British people are protesting about China being a police state! Take a good look around your own back yard!

Ian, Newtown Abbey

George Orwell's 1984 has nothing on NuLabour's Britain. The Stasi would be really proud.

Neil

The sooner all schools are removed from council control the better. They squander far too much money as the excellent grant maintained schools showed when in charge of their own budgets which is why Labour got rid of them. Labour despises success.

Ricky G, Greater Manchester

The Government has "privatised" hospitals - with PFI builds, performance lists and patient choice on which hospital to visit for an operation.
Why will it not do the same with schools? Make every school "private" - give every parent a voucher and let them shop around. No need for spies, full "consumer choice" and best of all - the political interference in our children's education can go - schools can teach as they see fit - not as the politicians want!
No more "Ed Balls ups" in education then!