Category Archives: Uncategorized

“No Secret Courts” Spring Conference motion submitted this morning

This morning we submitted the motion “No Secret Courts: the Liberal Democrat membership response to the Justice and Security Bill” to the party in good time for the 1pm deadline. The full text of the motion is set out below. … Continue reading

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Coalition mid-term review commits to secret courts

Cross-posted from Digital Politico: Politics 2.0: There has been growing concern within the Liberal Democrats about Secret Courts – or Closed Material Proceedings as the government would prefer them to be known. Hundreds of Lib Dem members have signed a … Continue reading

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New motion for Spring Conference – Jo’s post today on Lib Dem Voice

On Lib Dem Voice today, Jo has updated on the progress of the secret courts Bill in the House of Commons, and asked for support for a motion for Spring Conference in Brighton. The deadline for us to submit the … Continue reading

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Amnesty response to 2nd reading of Secret Courts Bill tomorrow

Amnesty calls the Justice and Security Bill “a key moment for open justice”. The second reading of the Bill is tomorrow (Tuesday 18th December). http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=20523

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Guardian leader from Saturday – Secret courts litmus test for the Liberal Democrats

Saturday’s leader from the Guardian makes it clear how crucial an issue secret courts are for the party. Where are the Liberal Democrats red lines if not on civil liberties? Another way of putting might be, if not to stop … Continue reading

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My reply to Nick Clegg’s civil liberties email today

Dear Nick, Thanks for your email about the Liberal Democrats successes this week on civil liberties. I was very pleased to hear of your decision to stand up for protecting freedoms of the individuals against an overreaching state. And the … Continue reading

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Useful update from Amnesty International

Update from Amnesty International here about what they are asking their supporters to do to contact their MP, and suggestions of how to respond if the MP concerned supports the Justice and Security Bill: http://www2.amnesty.org.uk/blogs/campaigns/justice-and-security-bill-has-your-mp-responded-you

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Stephen Tall, Voice of Russia radio and Lord Strasburger’s speech

Stephen Tall’s latest post opposing Secret Courts following his recent appearance on Voice of Russia radio – including Lord Strasburger’s speech in the Lords’ secret courts debate: Lib Dem peer Lord Strasburger‘s speech is an absolutely brilliant dissection of the … Continue reading

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Bill (as amended by the Lords) now up on parliament website

See here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/2012-2013/0056/lbill_2012-20130056_en_2.htm#pt2-pb1-l1g6 So this is the version which includes some improvements to the ways in which secret courts can be applied for. However the amendments do not kill off secret courts or Part II of the Bill altogether, and … Continue reading

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Brilliant editorial in the Times today

There are many reasons why a policy, conceived with good intentions, might fall. It could prove to be too complex to administer. The cure might turn out to be, unexpectedly, as bad as the disease. Or its rationale could crumble in the light of events. This week, this last fate befell the Government’s Justice and Security Bill. Continue reading

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