[ssf] Identity Card Meetups

[jym jim]

Hi all,

Good to see lots of ID planning going on as i look back in the archived SSF list messages!

My silence on all of this over the past week was due to being away on some personal business in the south of england, so apologies for that - just so long as nobody thinks it is through apathy for the campaign!

I see that there are numerous meetings being discussed, the 10th, 16th and 17th of February all being mentioned.

What is the current situation on these in terms of those attending, topics for discussion etc?

Also, the meeting scheduled for the 10th is unfortunately placed, as this coincides with the Report and Third Reading stages of the Identity Card Bill, which myself and colleague will be attending, and i dare say so will some others with any luck.

Again, if anyone can spare the time for a coach ride to London to lobby their MP in person about the issue, this is pretty much the last occasion for some time that doing so will potentially effect voting, as contact with the Lords is less easy than with MPs.

Contact me on or off list for details regarding travel times etc if you can go.

Also, there was an email to this list from a good friend of mine who currently finds himself involved with the Liverpool Defy ID group, who have been doing some sterling work on raising public awareness of the problem we face.

Is there any news on when peeps from the Liverpool group may be coming over?
If there is not, i will be in contact with him shortly, and can update the list on this myself.


In relation to ID card developments, did anyone see the Lib Dems Political Broadcast yesterday evening on Channel 4?

I was fortunate to, by chance, be in a room with a telly (not often i say that!) when it came on.

Firstly, it is good to see the lib dems, or anyone, making the issue more public, that is without doubt.

However, Mark Oaten, who was the speaker on the broadcast, did precious little to effectively attack the scheme, giving, for the mainstay, arguments against that have  been long rebutted by the Government.

For example, he claimed in the broadcast that police would demand to see your ID card on the spot - something explicitly prevented by the Bill itself, and not an issue that needs addressing whatsoever, since it ignores the fact that police don't need to see the CARD, because they are being given the power to demand you fingerprints on the spot instead.

It is this kind of lazy arguing in such high profile broadcasts that is going to undermine the campaign against, and perpetuate the Governments deliberate policy of dis-informing the population.

I'm going to email Oatens office and see what they say - plus if they can get me a copy of the script used in it for better analysis. Will post relevant replies here for your delectation.

Hope everyone is safe and well, and look forward to meeting up soon.

Regards

jymjim

___________________________________________________
Create your own safe chat rooms.

http://www.homemaster.net - Homemaster. Come Together. Online.