Does The Anti-Protest Bill Go Too Far?

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https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/policing-bill-protests-government-vote-b1818118.html

The anti-protest bill passed by the tories punishes “serious annoyance or inconvenience” with up to 10 years... and gives the home office the power to define “serious disruption” (and presumably “serious annoyance”j

This seems a worrying step toward authoritarianism to me... What’s to stop the UK govt cracking down on political protests they find “annoying” or “inconvenient” like in Russia...? There doesn’t seem to be much.

[Bobbisox1]

The way things are going in this country ,No
We need to reclaim back law and order or suffer the consequences

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When Theresa “snoopers charter” May thinks you’re crossing the line then you know you’re in trouble!!

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How creepy Bobbi. That’s what the fascists always say :/

[Bobbisox1]

Not Facist at all, wanting the police to do their jobs

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But what is there to stop the tories cracking down on protests they disagree with and use “annoying” or “inconvenient” as an excuse?

[Bobbisox1]

I've said it before, there should be a curfew right now till we're out of this pandemic

[jourdain2]

What good would a curfew do, Bobbi? Once we are back from evening dog-walk (about 5.30) we are in all evening, although soon we might get some evening gardening done. Most people are, I expect. So the ones who are out and about are already very visible.

I think this bill is very much a step too far. State powers, once accepted, are very hard to roll back. Existing powers should suffice to control. As it is, the police are being overly heavy-handed in some situations and it seems to me that power is being enjoyed and will not easily be rescinded.

[lankeela]

But the current laws are obviously not working so we definitely need something stronger.

[Bobbisox1]

Jourdain , sadly nothing is working right now so to prevent mass gatherings and ultimately super spreaders ,we have to look beyond what our 'norm' has been

[jourdain2]

But, Bobbi - OH is pretty good at 20thC history and keeps saying things like "That's what Hitler said" - although the context is different - the result is becoming the same. He has pointed out historical parallels for the last year. So far, there is not a lot of difference in the progress to totalitarianism. That does sound alarmist, I agree - but once precedents are established?

[Old_Geezer]

Haven't read it, but your description suggests it may be too vague. Folk can get annoyed at nothing, others seem to think a normal passionate emotional human should not react no matter what provocation (which is unrealistic). I'll check out your link later, when I've time/inclination.

[pastafreak]

I tend to agree with jourdain. Our society is...partly due to the pandemic...becoming more restrictive. And I'm not sure these measures have anything to do with the pandemic. People need to be able to voice concerns, and 10 year prison sentences for "annoying" behaviour...how is that defined?...
is worrying. Yet we are proud that our freedoms include freedom of speech. What needs to be encouraged is peaceful protest, with law enforcement trained in procedures that do not encourage or bring on an escalation in anger.

[lankeela]

If people protested calmly and in a restrained manner they would have nothing to fear from this bill. Have your voices heard but don't expect to be above the law.

[Canary42]

https://ibb.co/kxG5jb7

[Mamyalynne]

I certainly hope that the actual legislation will be clearer about what actually constitutes “serious annoyance or inconvenience”.

Wide open to interpretation as it stands and that's a problem.

[douglas9401]

Evidence that we're governed by dribbling loons with child-like minds, able only to regurgitate what nanny told them when the were small(er).

[Untitled]

"But the current laws are obviously not working "

What makes you say that?

I appreciate that some temporary restrictions on all of us are necessary in a pandemic... but this law seems to be an over-reaction to things like BLM and Extinction Rebellion to please tories with authoritarian instincts.

[david small]

Yes. Abuse of power, will result in the abuse of the people. History has very many examples.

[Peter Pedant]

Memo - must read how to get a Bill into an Act

the bill has NOT passed actually - it has been given its first reading. Has to go to the Lords (unlikely protectors of gelz interests and welfare) and Commons committee stage

marxist outrage is all very well but please - please revise "How to get proposed legislation into er actual legislation"
big boring read wiv long words but worf it

[Peter Pedant]

// History has very many examples.//

the only lesson from history is that there are no lessons from history