Tag: politics

My thoughts on Scotland

17 September 2014

I support self determination of the people of Scotland. I think it's great that we can have an open and democratic conversation about it, in a civilised and peaceful manner. I'm delighted by the level of engagement and thoughts people have on it, north and south of the border If Scotland does become independence, I'm […]

Embrace and Drive Change

1 August 2014

This is a post from my My 20-day Zappos + Buffer Values Challenge "Embrace and Drive Change" When it's change you want – change you asked for, it's easy to talk about embracing and driving change, but that's only part of it. It's different when it's unexpected change. Suddenly you have to do things differently (when […]

Listen First, Then Listen More

31 July 2014

This is a post from my My 20-day Zappos + Buffer Values Challenge "Listen First, Then Listen More" Everyday we hear things, TV, people talking to us, but how much do we listen? Sometimes, it's quite easy to talk – if someone tells you about their recent holiday, sometimes it's tempting to talk to them about your recent […]

Do the right thing

28 July 2014

This is a post from my My 20-day Zappos + Buffer Values Challenge "Do the right thing" This is quite a difficult value to blog about, because if you try to do the right thing, it's possible you might not even know you're doing it. I guess the point to give you confidence that specifically […]

Understanding Julian Huppert MP's support of Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill

11 July 2014

Of all the things I might say about Julian Huppert MP, stupid is not one of them – he's consistently informed, reasoned and principled. Pretty good qualities of an MP, as I think you'd agree. This makes his support of the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill… surprising. It seems to be a broadly unpopular […]

DRIP drip… a legislative stitch up: My letter to Lucy Powell MP

11 July 2014

Hi Lucy, Thanks for your recent replies on Twitter. I really do appreciate your agility in responding – it does help to get an almost immediate link to you. Thanks also for keeping me updated about the situation in several committees. I'm concerned about the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers (DRIP) Bill that's being rushed […]

I've written to Lucy Powell with my feelings on Syria

28 August 2013

With Parliament being recalled to discuss the current situation in Syria, I've felt compelled to write to my MP again to tell her my thoughts on the matter. Don't agree? Dislike my tone? Writing to your MP is easy – using WriteToThem – why not give it a go? EDIT: After the Government's crushing defeat […]

I got a response from Lucy Powell about GCHQ/Tempora…

25 August 2013

On the 5th of August I wrote to my MP about Tempora. My concerns are quite generalised, and my letter format and styling is to be worked upon, however the most important thing was to convey my opinion, and that is what I did: Today I received a response. Take a read, it'll only take […]

Due to more GCHQ idiocy, I've been compelled to write to my MP again. Your turn?

18 August 2013

Due to more GCHQ idiocy and the harassment of Guardian Journalist, Glen Greenwald's partner, I've been compelled to write to my MP again: Why don't you have a go? It's quick and easy via http://writetothem.com The less it sounds like you copied and pasted something, the more of a personal response you're likely to get.

Phone hacking was a big deal. Is Internet interception ok?

5 August 2013

A private investigator hacked a schoolgirl and a few celebs' voicemails, and it caused a public inquiry, it brought a media mogul (previously considered "untouchable") to be summoned to parliament and forced a historic Sunday newspaper to shutdown. All because of a few private investigators listening to a few voicemails. We've learned since then, that […]

The Porn Block is not the story. It is a distraction.

4 August 2013

The Great Firewall of Kim Jong Cameron is a distraction from the more pressing things. David Cameron's Porn Block idea is chilling, but let's stop for a moment and consider the context, and I'll explain why I think it is a distraction. MPs are currently on recess. During the summer, MPs go on holiday, and […]

David Cameron: Think of the Children!

25 July 2013

Obviously, "Think of the Children" and "Protect Us from the Terrorists" are continuing themes in government attacks on the internet but David Cameron's affection for Porn Blocking has been rationally critiqued, talked about by pudits, heartfeltly written about, politically critiqued, analysed for hypocrisy and embarrassed. Well now, Dan Bull, probably Britain's best political rapper has […]