From: robert_jones	Date: February 26th, 2009 03:25 pm (UTC)		(Link)

We don't have 42-day detention. Do you mean 28-day detention?

	From: woodpijn	Date: February 26th, 2009 03:38 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Oops, sorry, you're right, 42 days got defeated in the end. I misremembered.

	From: woodpijn	Date: February 26th, 2009 03:40 pm (UTC)		(Link)

The Bill doesn't seem to actually specify it; it just says the "extension of period of detention of terrorist suspects ceases to have effect".

	From: woodpijn	Date: February 26th, 2009 03:41 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Fixed in post.

	From: robhu	Date: February 26th, 2009 04:27 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Signed.

	From: woodpijn	Date: February 26th, 2009 04:28 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Thanks :)

From: (Anonymous)	Date: February 26th, 2009 05:46 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I wouldn't; it's a Lib Dem publicity stunt, not a serious bill. It has no chance of passing.

Don't play into their tedious little attempt to grab some attention.

S.

	From: woodpijn	Date: February 26th, 2009 05:57 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Rob and I are doing what we can to increase its chance of passing, which, you're right, is sadly not as large as it ought to be.

And if it doesn't pass and the only effect is to get the Lib Dems (and the issues they're campaigning about) some attention, that's a good outcome too.

	From: ilanin	Date: February 26th, 2009 06:14 pm (UTC)		(Link)

No, it isn't. If this were a serious attempt to advance the cause of civil liberties in this country, then maybe it would be deserving of extra publicity. It isn't, it's a cheap stunt.

The Liberal Democrats could have moderated their language, the bill's language, removed some of the provisions which are more controversial, and gained the support of the Conservatives and quite likely several Labour MPs as well. The resulting bill would have had a significant chance of becoming law and would certainly have required significant fighting off by the government - and would, thus, have also recieved more attention from the national media.

They haven't done this, because they don't want to risk losing any ground on the civil liberties issue - which they think is theirs - to the Conservatives. They worry that the larger party would take ownership of the issue and overall they're more concerned about scoring points than passing laws.

As such, they are not deserving of support or mention.

	From: woodpijn	Date: February 26th, 2009 07:42 pm (UTC)		(Link)

There's something to be said for toning down their proposals to make them more popular, but the other two parties are doing plenty of that already. I prefer the approach of putting what they think is right above what will necessarily get votes. And if it gets enough publicity and attention, then hopefully it will get the votes too.

	From: ilanin	Date: February 26th, 2009 10:05 pm (UTC)		(Link)

There's nothing wrong with that insofar as it relates to policies, but when legislating (giving the Liberal Democrats the benefit of the doubt for a minute and assuming this is actual legislation - it hasn't been put before Parliament yet) a party really ought to stick to drafting proposals which have some chance of being accepted. Acting otherwise is just wasting Parliament's time, and I think it's somewhat dishonest to present a policy launch - which is what this is - as a serious piece of legislation.

Secondly, it doesn't help the perception of the Liberal Democrats as a party that can talk but can't govern, and are happy to suggest all kinds of policies safe in the knowledge they'll never have to implement them.

	From: scribb1e	Date: February 27th, 2009 10:10 am (UTC)		(Link)

I think it looks great, and I wish it would pass, but I'm sceptical about what practical result signing a petition will have. (I signed it anyway, though)

I also think they'd get more support if they tackled separate issues in separate bills.

	From: woodpijn	Date: February 27th, 2009 10:12 am (UTC)		(Link)

I also think they'd get more support if they tackled separate issues in separate bills.
Yeah, that's a good point.

(Although this way is good for raising awareness of how many different liberties have been taken away and need restoring.)

	From: scribb1e	Date: February 27th, 2009 11:19 am (UTC)		(Link)

I feel aware but powerless.

	From: woodpijn	Date: February 27th, 2009 11:36 am (UTC)		(Link)

Yes, me too.

But I think there must be a lot of people who aren't aware.