Commenting on today’s Queen’s Speech, Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty, condemned the authoritarianism at the heart of the Government.

Asylum seekers

‘Last year the Government stripped asylum seekers of benefit, forcing many on to the streets. Last week it threatened to split up families and put children into care; now it is denying them the right to a fair appeals hearing. Whenever the Home Secretary wants to sound ‘tough’ he turns on them, his favourite ‘soft target’.
This is the third asylum bill in four years and shows the Government is more interested in grabbing the headlines that setting about sensible reform of what is a chaotic system.’

Civil Contingencies

‘Everyone accepts that in the event of a major terrorist attack or a natural disaster, the police and armed forces will need to act quickly to protect the civilian population. But that is no reason for granting the Government a blank cheque to designate as an emergency anything they deem to be such. It is quite possible this measure could be used to suppress or curb any demonstration or protest. It could, for example, be used against countryside alliance supporters marching on London or students protesting against top-up fees.’

ID cards

‘It is well known that a considerable number of senior cabinet ministers believe the introduction of a national ID card would be costly, of little or no use in combating crime or terrorism and lead to numerous administrative errors. By claiming that the measure is, initially, only about passports fools nobody. Mr Blunkett is determined to introduce a compulsory national card to be held by everyone, by stealth if necessary. I honestly believe this could turn into Labour’s poll tax.