THE SOCIALIST previously reported on how basic democratic rights are
under attack in Tony Blair’s New ‘authoritarian’ Britain. So-called
national security and the ‘fight against terrorism’ are used as a cover
for some of the most repressive legislation ever introduced in this
country. These include the sanctioning of evidence obtained under
torture for use in British courts and detention without trial.
Other legislation ostensibly to deal with terrorism is actually used
against protesters. The Terrorism Act 2000, section 44, is used to stop,
search and to detain anti-war protesters. Blair has threatened to place
G8 protesters intending to travel to Scotland, in July, under house
arrest. And the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill has big
implications for the right to protest, like turning trespass from a
civil offence into a criminal offence in designated areas. This is
clearly aimed at protesters.
The judgement on the May Day Detainees case, heard in the High Court,
earlier this year, gives a green light to police to round up and to
detain protesters under the flimsiest pretext.
As well as this, local councils up and down Britain are trying to
stop left parties from campaigning and organising. They are putting up
obstacles to make it more difficult for socialist and activists to
organise.
In particular, Socialist Party members are facing harassment from
local councils. For example, in Manchester, Wythenshawe and Warrington
city centres the Socialist Party is currently prevented from holding
public campaigning stalls, leafleting or selling papers. In Gloucester
and Cheltenham we face severe restrictions. London councils accuse the
Socialist Party of fly-posting and are threatening legal action.
This amounts to a political attack by councils to hamper and to stop
the work of the Socialist Party.
Like the right to protest, the right to organise politically is
fundamental and a gain that was fought for and won by the working class.
All attempts to stop the Socialist Party from campaigning must be
challenged. The Socialist Party is launching a campaign for our right to
organise. Socialist Party branches under attack from local councils
should contact the National Office for the new campaigning literature
and for legal advice.
