42 days later

There seems to be some despondency amongst activists regarding the 42 days result, the cynicism of the DUP, and the betrayal of some on the Labour benches who said they would rebel only for them to lose their spines at the eleventh hour.

Chins up though, this has still to go through the House of Lords, who will hopefully reject it and send it back to the Commons for them to think again. We must all then keep the pressure up.

Hopefully if there is an impasse, there will be no acceptance of sham compromises like the meaningless sunset clause that was wheeled out during the passage of control orders. It is disgusting that the government is playing with our liberties like this., Already we can see how anti-terror powers are being abused, and it should make us all shudder to think that if an even more authoritarian government ever came in, then the framework for tyranny has already been laid down by this lot.

This is why I support the stand that David Davis has taken. Some have accused him of being on an ego trip, but I can't see how that is the case given that the public are on the side of 42 days, albeit I don't think they care about it that much though. I hope he exploits it fully as a platform for airing this vital issue. If re-elected, he will be the Martin Bell of civil liberties.

Contrast this with MP Mohammad Sarwar. A couple of months ago he told the world he had learned his lesson and would be rebelling this time. Everything he leaked to the media then still is true:

"Last time I voted out of loyalty with the Government.

But since then there has not been a single case where prosecutors or the police have asked for an extension beyond 28 days. Only six people have been held for 28 days – three of whom were released without charge. The Government should think twice about doing this."

Asked about the possible impact on the Muslim community, he replied: "They will be upset. Most people are very reasonable but they just do not see a need for this legislation."

The reason for the uturn on the uturn and him being a "happy man" is that the Home Secretary has said she'll look into making payments to anyone held for more than 28 days but is not later charged. Ever the businessman. Except in this case, he's quite literally sold out.

UPDATE: Here's more from Scotland Against Criminalising Communities on Sarwar:

Zahid Ali - a respected member of Scotland's Muslim community and co-chair of the Scottish Stop the War Coalition Committee - emailed him to say:

"I was dissapointed that you have chosen to disregard the views of your constituents and broader society yet again and voted with the government on the 42 day detention vote. Do you actually believe that detention for 42 days is necessary or did you vote for it because you were told to by your party whip?"

Mohammad Sarwar's reply was: "The independent poll held before the vote last week indicated that 70% of the public supported the 42 day detention period! Did you miss this, who did I not listen to in this circumstance when such a high number of individuals supported it."

Comments

[SAH]

Sarwar calling for the payment is probably in the hope his son will get a windfall if he manages to get out of jail.

[Yunus Yakoub Islam]

I don't buy the Davis thing. His record on voting for civil liberities might impress some orthodox Muslims (voting in favour of section 28), but in the wider scheme of things, and alongside his broader voting record, this stand looks like "his ego has got the better of him" - to quote one of his parliamentary friends!

[joe90]

It's great to see you out there doing your thing Osama - a pure joy!

The email newsletters from SACC are wonderful!

All the best!

ps
A bit of local gossip -
I see the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign are trying to build their own illegal settlement on an Eaglesham Golf Course -
http://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2287&Itemid=433>17 June: protest JNF fundraising at Bonnyton Golf Club, Eaglesham

As it's illegal, that means the British Government will be giving it its full backing.