| The Queen's Speech |
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| Written by Tom Clougherty | |
| Tuesday, 06 November 2007 | |
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The Queen's speech yesterday was a rather dull affair, mostly because
everything in it had already been leaked to the press. So much for the
Prime Minister who would make announcements to Parliament first! The government's legislative programme – as usual – was light on the radical public sector reforms the country needs, and heavy on creeping authoritarianism. Children are going to be forced to stay in education or training until they are 18, not that it will do them any good. Kids who don't want to be there will only disrupt classes and make life more difficult for teachers and other students. And if 11 years of compulsory education hasn't taught them what they need to know, it's unlikely two more are going to make much difference. Then there's anti-terrorism. As expected, the government wants longer detention without charge – probably 56 days (up from 28, already the longest period in Europe). They also want to be able to continue questioning suspects after charge, and allowed to draw adverse inferences from silence when questioned. No more habeas corpus then, and no more right to silence. Freedom of expression is in trouble too – possession of "extreme" pornography not covered by the Obscene Publications Act will be a crime. And freedom of speech gets another kicking, with a new crime for inciting hatred against gays, lesbians, the transgendered, and disabled people. Not that I'm in favour of hating anyone, of course, but people should be free to express their opinions, repugnant or not. And to top it all off, there will definitely be no referendum on the EU Constitution Reform Treaty. That will mean more national powers to Brussels now, and no chance of preventing more powers being taken away in future. All in all then, it's a thumbs down for the Queen's speech.
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