Jul/10
14:34 8
Rich in spirit, poor in spelling: Conor Pope reports from Parliament Square’s “Democracy Village”
Parliament Square's "Democracy Village": rich in spirit, poor in spelling
As you may recall, this part of the Scrapbook machine ventured to Parliament Square on Friday to see what would happen when the 4pm eviction notice deadline for the protesters there was reached. After chatting with a few people, I realised I had forgotten to charge the camera battery experienced technical problems outside my control, hastily deduced that nothing more would happen and retreated to the pub.
On my return yesterday it became apparent that if I had stuck around a little longer I would have witnessed a sit-in on the road that resulted in “around five” arrests. Speaking today to Democracy Villagers “Dot” and “Raga” (who also featured in The Grauniad) was more informative than my previous chat with “Friend” but – alas – not as amusing. Perhaps it was the Catholic guilt kicking in but I just couldn’t bring myself to mock them:
The protesters are not filled with confidence that their hearing on Friday morning will clear the way to lodge a formal appeal against the evictions. But their determination to stay on, however, doesn’t preclude a respect for a bit of law ‘n’ order.
Shortly before my arrival the Village had held a meeting to discuss how they might deal with resident/visiting alcoholics and the discarded syringes left at night by heroin addicts. Understandably, some feel this gives the Village a poor image, as well as making its citizens feel unsafe.
This raises questions as to divides within the encampment. Last week I reported how a man who, though against the war, didn’t share the Village’s prevailing view on capitalism had been booed off the platform while speaking. Can they call themselves ‘Democracy’ Village if they exercise such censorship? Dot told me that he favoured an open commune and that no one should feel they cannot express themselves as they wish; those with alcohol or drug problems were equally welcome, as they are vulnerable people who would benefit from the atmosphere and environment.
Scrapbook will report live(ish) from Parliament Square following the court hearing on Friday.
Jul/10
13:41 2
Dying in the chamber: the freedom to talk nonsense
Whether its the number of submissions on cannabis or the bright spark who wants to bolster civil liberties by hanging people, the coalition’s Your Freedom website continues to provide amusement to those with too much time on their hands willing to have a dig around.
This blogger was aware of the arcane law prohibiting deaths from being declared on the Parliamentary Estate but does this extend to ”dying on your arse” when speaking in the chamber? The following suggestion was submitted this afternoon:
This Government needs to repeal the law making dying in the House of Commons illegal. It is quite clear to the British public that this law is constantly broken as many MPs die on their feet on a regular basis and they should be allowed to continue to do so without the fear of the law bearing down on them everytime they stand up.
Scrapbook supports any move to save Eric Pickles from himself.
Hat-tip: Anonymous reader via our contact form
Jul/10
17:15 7
Government to repeal football laws
DPM Clegg mimicking the soon-to-be extinct celebration of former footballer Alan Shearer
David Cameron’s waxwork figure Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg this week revealed the Your Freedom website, which allows voters to suggest which laws they would like to be repealed in an effort by the coalition to extend civil liberties. The first laws to be abolished are those of football. Mr Clegg said:
“As creators of the laws of football, we retain the right to repeal them. Following the dismal performances of the England team in South Africa, the Government intends to action this right, removing all football laws, and thus the game itself, from existence and restoring the freedom of many Britons not to be regularly humiliated on the world stage.”
Reaction in the footballing community has been mixed. England midfielder and phantom goalscorer Frank Lampard told reporters:
“It’s a shocking decision, which ultimately has cost us the game.”
Manchester United and England forward Wayne Rooney was more philisophical, however:
“At the end of the day, we’ve given 110%, but we haven’t performed well enough. When it comes down to it, it’ll be disappointing not to earn obscene amounts of money while loads of other people lose their jobs and stuff, but like, I’ve probably got enough now anyway. At the end of the day, like I said, it’s the Deputy Prime Minister’s decision and you’ve gotta go along with it.”
The decision has been met with universal acclaim in Scotland and Wales.
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