The police themselves have expressed "regret" over the arrests and made personal apologies to those arrested. [0]
Now, I doubt the sincerity of that regret, but the fact that they're choosing that message at all means there's no cause for a devil's advocate here. It's a bad law, poorly implemented.
I disagree, from a UK government perspective, its a excellent law, implemented perfectly.
Yeah, there was a little backlash this time. The police have issued an apology, maybe a few front line officers will be disciplined (somewhat unlikely), then it'll all be forgotten and next time it will barely make the news, and after that its just an everyday occurrence.
The opposition (Labour) party is refusing to say they will repeal the legislation if they win the next election, they haven't said they won't, that's not the politicians way, but what they did say was “We can’t come into office, picking through all the conservative legislation and repealing it” [0].
make no mistake this isn't a law our government wants, its a law our parliament wants, both sides of the house, and it is here to stay, whether we the people want it or not.
It's almost like people that want power and control become politicians to enact laws that give them power and control... Maybe we need some kind of checks and balances on the power of parliament, or maybe, the desire to be a politician should make you ineligible for the role.
Yes, many people who crave power and control will gravitate to positions of authority. In many cases it's a diagnosable psychiatric disorder, a personality disorder, that causes it. The behavior is compulsive, they have to be in control at all times. And there is a cluster of symptoms that come together, it's possible to spot this.
No point shooting yourself in the foot when you're this clear in front... Ammendements will be made, I'm confident of that, when they actually have the power to do so.
They might as a concession for confidence and supply from the Liberal Democrats. Which might suit all involved since the lib dems could be blamed in such an event.
The same police that had the chief say "oh they weren't supposed to, he he he" when people were arrested for quietly holding A4-sized signs a few months ago on this topic.
They're fascists. That used to be hyperbole, but now they're actually arresting people for their peaceful opinions on the government.
Yes, that is because the Overton window has shifted so far towards authoritarianism. If it didn't the Police would find resistance both within, from the population and from the government as well.
People should hold up a blank piece of paper, that echoes what people do in russia to protest against the war.
Interesting to contrast the (sometimes) global opinion that the US First Amendment is too extremist with the current situation in the UK arising in part from the lack of such an extremist "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech" framework.
That's how far the Overton window has shifted, when the 1st Amendement of the US Constitution is being branded as "extremist". What dark times we are living in....
And he whole society is shifting in the process, the public becomes more tolerant of the erosion of liberty. While the government starts to clamp down on our freedoms more than ever before. That is how we arrived at the place we are at now, with widespread mass surveillance and censorship.
All supposedly accepted by the public in the name of "safety". With the public maybe so accustomed to that feeling of supposed safety that they might actually oppose rolling back the surveillance in some cases?
> That's how far the Overton window has shifted, when the 1st Amendement of the US Constitution is being branded as "extremist".
The US’ freedom of expression rights are so much stronger than any other state I’m aware of that calling them extreme is quite accurate. There’s nothing like the First Amendment in any other country.
Yes, the US is at the forefront of individual liberty, it is highly advanced in this respect. And it is likely the reason for its economic prosperity over the decades.
Many of the other countries in the world are collectivist. The recent shift in the Overton Window is a regression towards pre-Enlightenment values.
I doubt the police would express regret for enforcing the law, however bad a particular law may be. I'm pretty sure they are expressing regret knowing they acted unlawfully even under the new law.
Now, I doubt the sincerity of that regret, but the fact that they're choosing that message at all means there's no cause for a devil's advocate here. It's a bad law, poorly implemented.
[0]: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65530967