Enigma Variations

Liberal values and personal freedom

November 1st, 2007

I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for the Liberals, if only because they seem to be the only party in Britain who are capable of a modicum of free thinking. (It’s just a pity that they seem so prone to shooting themselves in the foot – like shedding leaders like confetti.) So it was good to see their two leadership candidates both pledging to refuse to register for the government’s proposed identity card scheme. I had hoped that Gordon Brown might have quietly shelved this hopelessly misguided plan, particularly given its vast cost, but there seems little sign of him doing so. If the Liberals would also pledge to reduce the number and spread of CCTV cameras they’d have my support.

Of course the other option would be an independent Scotland – will Alex Salmond promise not just a nuclear weapon-free country but also a CCTV-free one?

Altogether now – FREEDOM

Entry Filed under: Social/Political