Is the Government threatening our democracy - Part 2

Nanof3

ID must be shown when opening a Bank or Building Society account, when attending the Job Centre to apply for Universal Credit, when attending an interview for a job, when applying for or renewing a passport, when collecting a parcel from the sorting office and often when items are delivered by courier to name but a few so why would anyone protest at showing ID when voting? Surely it is imperative to ensure elections are run correctly.
At the moment you can go to the polling station and vote even if you have forgotten the polling card - I have done so - and they took my word that I was who I said I was.

There is no evidence that the system is not functioning properly. But even if there were, how would you deal with the substantial minorities who have neither passport nor driving licence? The groups without either are not a random representative group of UK society but poorer and more ethnically diverse for example. I’d be interested to see how a voter ID card would be implemented in a way that didn’t amount to the voter suppression tactics in the States. The devil is always in the detail with policies like this so I’d really like the supporters of the policy to explain how it would be operationalised in a way that did not compromise democracy. ( unless of course compromising democracy is what it’s all about .....surely not?)

Totally agree Nanof3

ID must be shown when opening a Bank or Building Society account, when attending the Job Centre to apply for Universal Credit, when attending an interview for a job, when applying for or renewing a passport, when collecting a parcel from the sorting office and often when items are delivered by courier to name but a few so why would anyone protest at showing ID when voting? Surely it is imperative to ensure elections are run correctly.
At the moment you can go to the polling station and vote even if you have forgotten the polling card - I have done so - and they took my word that I was who I said I was.

Whitewavemark2

This is appalling.

Appropriation of religion is simply not acceptable

There are many many posters to be found on Twitter, from The Labour Party, Greens and Lib Dem’s appropriating various religious festivals.

Are you as outraged by them also?

And like dodgy Dave the conservative said as an 2010 election promise. There will be no top down reorganisation of the NHS. Don't make me laugh They then did just that with the 2012 Health and Social Care Act.

Yes this Tory government is threatening our democracy from every quarter.

Every new MP receives briefing on how Tory social security reforms have harmed us – so they can’t say they don’t know.

After the 2019 general election, she became concerned that the huge new influx of Conservative MPs – along with those from other political parties – were ignorant of the harm that government policies had caused.

So she wrote a briefing paper specifically addressing the issue and sent it to all of them

This is a copy of the document so we all have a record of what these MPs should know – and so they won’t be able to plead ignorance.

Mo Atewart spent 10 years researching and writing a book on this subject: Cash Not Care – The Planned Demolition of the UK Welfare State.

Social Policy Abused:
The Creation Of Preventable Harm

Executive Summary

The Preventable Harm Project (the Project) ran for ten years and closed in November 2019, with the evidence identified within the Project findings widely promoted during 2019/20. The Project identified the bipartisan political ambition to eventually remove the UK welfare state, to be replaced by private income replacement health insurance. In order to remove the welfare state, it was first necessary to remove the psychological security provided by the welfare state. This was achieved by the adoption of a flawed disability assessment model, and the manipulation of the general public aided by the tabloid press, that successfully demonised claimants of disability benefit(s). Large numbers of suicides linked to the adoption of the Work Capability Assessment are overlooked by the Department for Work and Pensions, and successive Rule 43 ‘prevention of future deaths’ Coroners’ reports, highlighting the link between the Work Capability Assessment and suicides, have also been disregarded. The Work Capability Assessment was fatally flawed by design and should be abolished, and the departmental intimidation of disability benefit claimants should be outlawed.

Introduction: The Creation of Preventable Harm

You can read the rest here

voxpoliticalonline.com/2021/04/03/every-new-mp-receives-briefing-on-how-tory-social-security-reforms-have-harmed-us-so-they-cant-say-they-dont-know/

GrannyRose15

That is a terrible insult to an awful lot of people varian.

And what do you think of the Conservative branding of Good Friday. Isn’t that the most important day in the Christian calendar? Isn’t the Tweet an insult to a lot of people? Or can the Tories literally do no wrong? Did he do the same last week for Passover?

That is a terrible insult to an awful lot of people varian.

It used to be said that the C of E was the Tory party at prayer but that was in the 20th century.

I remember once being told by a clergyman "you cannot possibly be a Christian and a Conservative"

This is an appalling new low.

This is appalling.

Appropriation of religion is simply not acceptable

Signed.

Protest is an amazing thing - just think of Emmeline Pankhurst leading the Suffragette movement, or Martin Luther King leading the Civil Rights movement. Big, lasting, societal change was triggered by those movements and the protests they led.

The right to free speech and right to assemble are basic human rights - put together they make the right to protest. They are essential in a democracy.

The Government's new Police and Crime bill strikes at the heart of these rights.

Protests could be banned because they might cause annoyance, or unease, or just be too noisy. People that take part in protests could be fined or sent to prison for up to 10 years.

It’s a draconian bill that wouldn’t look out of place in Russia or China.

We can’t let this happen. Unlock Democracy has joined a broad coalition of civil society organisations to launch a joint campaign and petition against these changes.You can add your name by clicking below.

secure.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/page/79519/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=email&ea.url.id=5235405

WWM2 I heard on the news last night that some of the reports of injuries to the police earlier in the week weren't true and the Chief Constable (if that was his title) has admitted as such.

The various videos from Bristol and reports of the police violence is grim.

Boris Johnson’s government failing to protect UK from Russia’s 'active threat'

The government’s defence review is a reminder of its shocking inaction to protect UK democracy from Putin's Russia

www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/boris-johnsons-government-failing-to-protect-uk-from-russias-active-threat/

A few of us on here have been saying this for a while (hence these threads). But very few people seem to care. They even think it's hilarious that anyone should think we're becoming a dictatorship.

Yes, MaizieD. I said it after the election and the hail-Tories scoffed in ridicule.

GagaJo

Apologies if this link has been posted before.

The London Economic also feels that we are letting our position as a democracy slip away, little by little.

www.thelondoneconomic.com/opinion/britains-slide-into-authoritarianism-how-the-tories-are-building-a-one-party-state-259854/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=ukineu&fbclid=IwAR1LnW9bNfrjKW_Klpor-jCL66j5Hf7vUGusvv7n_mKd_PJ-WbdM8cKWEmQ

They say “it can’t happen here,” but over the years the Conservatives have been undermining democracy.

*Britons now need ID to vote. Police can arrest demonstrators they deem “annoying.” Boundary changes will give the Tories more Parliamentary seats. The state broadcaster and regulator are falling under right-wing control. Combined, these elements set an anti-democratic precedent.*

We don't need ID to vote, nor can police arrest protestors for being 'annoying'...yet. So far, these are just proposals.

Otherwise I agree with the London Economic. A few of us on here have been saying this for a while (hence these threads). But very few people seem to care. They even think it's hilarious that anyone should think we're becoming a dictatorship...

sorry I swore

My Mother in law in her 80s is in hospital after a fall if she dies of covid it wasn't secondary at all, she should get over a fall. She has only had a fall because she has been neglected by the health service for the last 12 months or so, even the hospital seem pissed off about it. They cant understand why she hasn't received ANY community physio - they signed her off without seeing her apparently

Yes this country is in a right state. All the rich people friends of Tories have done well out of the free for all chumocracy. You would think Johnson would have given our nurses NHS a pay rise and after they saved his life from covid.

There doesn't seem to be anyone that can step in and stop this rogue government. Does anyone wonder what the queen's role is, as HoS in our country?

A HoS who should be on the people's side checks and balances on government. The queen allowed Johnson to prorogue parliament? She can only do what PM asks her.

You see the queen, as a monarch gives the government too much power to do as they like, as they are doing now, who's to stop them? Parliment doesn't have enough power.

We need a written constitution, that people can read, and know what this country stands for. We are paying a fortune for queen and family to live in 19 grand homes palaces castles.

Living in luxury waited on hand and foot. Wasting public money every day on transport to wherever they want. Everything done for them.

When queen goes I hope that people will consider a change to vote for an democratically elected accountable president chosen by us to be our Head of State.

I see The Times are rightly questioning the need for hereditary peers in the House of Lords which is good, funny how they and rest of media don't question the need for a hereditary monarchy too.

I will keep following Republic Campaign on their YouTube channel and their website.

I think one thing we can do is campaign for change to proportional representation instead of first past the post for fairer vote counts .

Apologies if this link has been posted before.

The London Economic also feels that we are letting our position as a democracy slip away, little by little.

www.thelondoneconomic.com/opinion/britains-slide-into-authoritarianism-how-the-tories-are-building-a-one-party-state-259854/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=ukineu&fbclid=IwAR1LnW9bNfrjKW_Klpor-jCL66j5Hf7vUGusvv7n_mKd_PJ-WbdM8cKWEmQ

They say “it can’t happen here,” but over the years the Conservatives have been undermining democracy.

Britons now need ID to vote. Police can arrest demonstrators they deem “annoying.” Boundary changes will give the Tories more Parliamentary seats. The state broadcaster and regulator are falling under right-wing control. Combined, these elements set an anti-democratic precedent.

The Liberal Democrats passed a motion at our federal Spring Conference last weekend calling for immediate action to be taken on the Russia Report. This includes:

An investigation into Russian interference into our electoral process

Making protection of our democratic security a national priority with clear ministerial responsibility

Take big money out of politics by reforming party funding.

Following the debate, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Layla Moran MP said:

"It is time for the Government to take our national security seriously and stop ducking this because it’s politically inconvenient. Our democratic defences are weak and we must listen to the urgent warning signs – their own Integrated Review should remind them of that.

"Last year's Russia Report has been swept under the carpet by the Conservatives. The security surrounding our elections should not be a party-political issue and yet Boris Johnson continues to get away with leaving our democracy vulnerable to a clear and present threat.


"Liberal Democrats are calling for protection of our democratic process to become a national priority with clear ministerial responsibility. We need a real investigation into potential interference in our elections, and action to stop big money from figures close to the Kremlin influencing our politics.


"Putin’s assault on democracy around the world is clear for all to see, from interference in US politics to poisoning and imprisoning the opposition leader in his own country. Britain is 'clearly a target' for disinformation campaigns, according to the Russia Report, and now more than ever we should be focused on safeguarding our democracy at all levels."

aberavonneathlibdems.blogspot.com/2021/03/we-must-get-serious-on-russia-for-sake.html

I very much feel this government is threatening our democracy and, along with other bills I am seriously worried about The UK Health and Care Bill and its failure to address fundamental issues of coverage and funding.

The last time the government wanted to "take back" something we never really learned why, what exactly they wanted to do with this power, and how it would improve our lives and it was all explained to us with lies and meaningless three word phrases - or lying, meaningless three word phrases - and it seems they aim to "take back control of the NHS".

They seem to have learned nothing about having a wide range of experts running such things. They have plans for the government to have enhanced powers of direction over a merged NHS England and NHS Improvement, and to transfer functions between health-related bodies, such as the Care Quality Commission, Health Education England, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to allow this "take back" of control. There seems to be little evidence showing why this should happen and what changes it brings about that we need.

With ministerial control of the NHS, what can we expect? The government may well be seeing that as a way to cut cost and move health to the private sector. They have never denied that "smaller government" (weasel words for privatisation) would be their intention while in government and with talk about "paying back the debt" (nonsense in itself) they may see this as just the place to make cuts.

If the Government is to take control of the day to day running of the NHS we need to look at its record on Covid. This is not a government known for building teams of those best for the job. Its aim has always been to give power only to those it can trust to agree and support it. We have, so far, one of the highest COVID19-death rates in the world. We can look at the shortages of PPE and the Track and Trace system, both of which should be undergoing a Judge led enquiry at this moment.

Conversely, we can look at the NHS during this time, particularly non-government led areas. In weeks it had expanded massively the critical care capacity. It had seen the problem clearly and reallocated thousands of staff. They reorganised to reduce transmission of Covid19. They also established world-leading clinical trials for the vaccines and treatments we would need and delivered those vaccines in a way that used the best of everyone's skills and achieved amazing numbers in a very short time.

The power grabs this government has attempted to make - from Parliament, by misleading the Head of State, and from the people is worrying in itself but to come out of this pandemic, with society even more divided by income and opportunity than I can remember in my lifetime and then taking away our NHS doesn't bear thinking about - but we must.

Sources:
Department of Health & Social Care. Integration and innovation: working together to improve health and social care for all. Feb 11, 2021. www.gov.uk/ government/publications/working-together-to-improve-health-and-social-care-for-all/ integration-and-innovation-working-together-to-improve-health-and-social-care-for-all-html-version.
Raleigh VS. UK’s record on pandemic deaths. BMJ 2020; 370: m3348
Anderson M, Pitchforth E, Asaria M, et al. The LSE–Lancet Commission on the future of the NHS: re-laying the foundations for an equitable and efficient health and care service post COVID-19. Lancet (in press).
The UK Health and Care Bill: failure to address fundamental issues of coverage and funding - The Lancet