scary

[bitvacuous]

In reciprocal world bills like this http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmbills/111/06111.1-4.html wouldn't even appear in the house of commons. Time to visit www.theyworkforyou.com and lodge a protest me thinks.

Comments

[saruman_2010]

I can't be arsed reading all of that :)

How about a summary for the lazy and/or idiots out here?

[jondiesch]

It basically says that cabinet ministers can create any law they like, change or amend any law they like, more or less on the spot, on a whim, without having to do much more than decide that they would like to do so. Parliament is not involved, there is no oversight, it is the end of the world as we know it.

The only limits are that they cant change taxes, or send you down for more than a year. Ooh.

[lucian_albrecht]

I thought it said that, but assumed I was reading it wrong....

[jondiesch]

no you were right, this is the 'trust us, we're not autocratic dictators' bill.

Problem is, they are autocratic dictators.

[sandraregina]

Wow. That's...fucked up.

Even *if* you were to accept that the current ministers won't abuse the priviledge, there would be nothing to protect future peoples from abuse. And I don't accept that the currect ministers won't abuse it, since they want to pass this thing.

I thought Bush was bad...

[jondiesch]

Fear not, the revolution is coming....

[lucian_albrecht]

Yes, but will it come quickly enough? And will it be televised?

[jondiesch]

I could tell you this, but then I'd have to kill you...

[sendraks]

Its gonna be bad for civil servants ("officials") like myself.

[jondiesch]

Best get with the revolutionaries now I say.

Before we come to take you for a walk...

[jondiesch]

Obv not you personally, but those of your ilk and more evil natch! :)

[sendraks]

I think you misunderstand.

Its bad for us because it will mean unworkable bills (i.e. those Bills which civil servants have told Ministers are unworkable) will be put into effect. We Civil Servants then have to make "unworkable" bills work, which naturally we can't. We then get the blame and then life becomes even more difficult.

We'll get the blame from Ministers for failing to implement unpopular, unworkable legislation and then we'll get the blame from the public as well.

well done

[anonymous]

i am gonna show this to my friend, dude