What price Democracy?

It is not just the physical prevention of access to Parliament that Labour has introduced, but the blatant double talk and double standards. How can any soft minded, self interested, self publicist ever understand what it is like to absolutely terrified but still perform one's duty? Do they know the difference between a fighting soldier and the rest? Do they care? History and the plethora of ill-thought out legislation suggests they do not. The picture shows Parliament and one of the many disabled heroes being denied access to justice, Mr Walter Hickling of Dudley, whose son-in-law is ignored because he is critically ill with Gulf War syndrome. Walter refused to be a front for the Back Slapping Brigade who wanted to herald his efforts in war bydoing a Poppy Day newsreel around him, but shirked away when Walter asked if the moment could be shared with his son-in-law.

clipped from www.politics.co.uk

Hansard Society - Fortress Westminster would be a blow for democracy

Friday, 17 Sep 2004 10:32

Declan McHugh, Director of the Hansard Society's Parliament and Government Programme, has warned of the detrimental impact on democracy that could result if restrictive security measures were introduced at Westminster in response to this week's security breaches.

He said: "The greatest strength of British democracy is its openness and accessibility. It would be a blow for our political system if this week's events provoked measures that would have the effect of turning the Westminster Parliament - the heart of our democracy - into a fortress. Security concerns must be balanced against the need to preserve our democratic system of government, which has withstood far greater assaults than this."