An open letter to my MP- Crispin Blunt: Dear Mr Blunt, Hearing that the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill is due to be voted on tomorrow I am concerned at the speed it is being rushed through parliament and I wonder if you have had the chance to read it through in detail?. Here is a copy of the bill: 38d.gs/DRIPbill I feel that the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill is a real threat to my privacy and that of millions of others and I’m very disappointed to see all the main party leaders supporting it. If you vote to support the amendment, the Bill will at least get the scrutiny it needs before the end of the year,so that its impact can be properly reviewd within six months of it being introduced. Can you explain why the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill is being rushed through Parliament in just a few days? I would say such a bill should be due exactly the same scrutiny as other laws which affect the vast majority of the public? I urge you to vote in Parliament tomorrow to amend the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill, to ensure it goes through proper democratic scrutiny and debate within the next six months. I realise that, in the opinion of some, such legislation will help protect us from so-called “ terrorism”. Although it is true that increasingly sophisticated methods are being used by those perpetrating such crimes, just as in the early 2000s when a “ climate of fear” was created, mainly by the USA and its so- called allies, particularly those in what is often popularly referred to as “ the special relationship”, ( which is a complete myth these days), mainly for their own ends. The USA has not forgotten and will never forget Edward Snowden. Don’t be blinded by fake concern, people from the USA are bred “ to win”. Much of this is revenge for Sept 11th, for July 7th, for anything which gets the better of the USA and in particular its government, or more likely its various secret services. They won’t be done down. Please don’t embroil us in all this, just like the UK was embroiled in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq against its will and all resulting digusting and immoral fall out.. Is this why things are being hurried through, before we get to a General Election? Some privacy campaigners have released a joint briefing document on what they believe is wrong with the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill. Please read it so that you understand their concerns before you vote on the 15th? 38d.gs/DRIPjointbriefing Please at least vote for the Amendment to the Bill, so that, at the very least, it will receive the kind of transparent scrutiny it deserves. Sincerely, Frances Gray
Posted on: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:27:20 +0000