Is the PM taking liberties? - Observer blog comments

Tony Blair and Charles Clarke recently went on a PR offensive against those who have criticised their attacks on our civil liberties. Below are my comments on the Observer blog about this issue:


Mr Blair claims that he has to act to suppress our civil liberties in order to ensure the greater right not to be blown up by terrorists. If that is so, why did he ensure UK forces illegally invaded Iraq when he was very clearly and authoritatively warned that such an action would be very likely to make us targets for terrorist attack? It seems our right not to be blown up was rather unimportant compared to his desire to slavishly follow US neoconservative foreign policy.

So why are New Labour introducing all this authoritarian legislation? I don't believe it has anything to do with preventing terrorism, and still less to do with `combating identity fraud' or whatever fantasy they are peddling at present. Personally, I don't believe it is (yet) to do with peak oil either. I think it is preparation for social unrest due to the growing unpopularity of neoliberal economics (and the associated political policies).

This can be seen virtually everywhere these days. Political parties across the industrialised world seem incapable of offering any alternative to failed neoliberalism. Consequently, we see French goverments elected to only one term of office, then booted out. We see stalemate in Germany and Italy. Opposition to neoliberalism is growing, as we have seen with recent ructions in France, with the rejection of the EC constitution, and the fight against Bolkestein in the ferries dispute in Ireland.

This battle is going to intensify. I think New Labour are preparing to stick the boot into any attempt to undermine neoliberalism, and that's why they are becoming increasingly authoritarian, and are attempting to introduce an abomination like the Leg and Reg Reform Bill. I'm sorry to say that I think things may get a lot worse before they get better. But it isn't all one-way traffic. The French went out on the streets and got the CPE attack on young workers rescinded. We will have to be prepared to defend our freedoms if they are not to be taken away from us.

One final thought - the role of the media. Blair has had a very soft ride thus far, especially from the truly pathetic BBC (although I don't think the Guardian has been much better). The gentlemen and ladies of the media had better look to their laurels. Judging by the tone of much of the comment here people are `sick up to here' with Blair and New Labour. If the media continue to wipe Blair's backside for him in their present loathesome manner they are going to lose all credibility. They have been warned.