Deceptikons: Liberal Opinion and PoliticsLiberal Opinion & Analysis of British Politics & Current Affairs from a centre-left point of view. Includes articles on Human Rights Issues, Religion and UK Government Policy.Blasts hit London Tube and Bus Network- July 7, 2005 A series of explosions on the Bus and Tube Network have brought Central London to a stand still. Police were called to an Explosive at Liverpool Street Station at around 08:50 BST, Blasts were also reported at Aldgate East, Edgware Rd, Kings Cross, Moorgate, Russell Square tube stations. An explosion has also ripped the top of a Double Decker Bus in Taverstock Place.http://www.deceptikons.com/article.asp?file=187.xml Protestors Clash with Police at Gleneagles- July 6, 2005 A group of Protestors have broken off from an agreed march route near the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland where the G8 Summit is been held. The Police had originally withdrawn permission for the march, but after last minute negociations with Organisers they agreed to let it take place on a route which took it through the nearby village of Auchterarder.http://www.deceptikons.com/article.asp?file=174.xml The UK Voting System and PR- July 6, 2005 The UK suffers from an antiquated and archaic voting system in its General Elections which is known commonly as the First-Past-The-Post System. It invariably leads to governments obtaining a majority of the seats in Parliament, yet only drawing a minority proportion of the popular vote. Most people consider this unfair and would like to see the voting system reformed to better reflect public opinion on Election Day.http://www.deceptikons.com/article.asp?file=167.xml Why Britain Needs PR- July 5, 2005 At the beginning of this week, leader of the House of Commons Geoff Hoon suggested that voting should be made compulsory, he was responding to poor voter turnout in the 2001 and 2005 General Elections, 59.5% and 61% respectively, the lowest on record. What Mr Hoon fails to appreciate is the disillusionment the public have with the electoral process.http://www.deceptikons.com/article.asp?file=168.xml Bush: G8 Climate deal cannot be Kyoto- July 5, 2005 George W Bush announced his intentions to reject any G8 Climate deal which imposes legally binding restrictions on carbon emissions. He said if measures were similar to the 1997 Kyoto Deal, then the answer is No.http://www.deceptikons.com/article.asp?file=171.xml Hoon Proposes Compulsory Voting- July 5, 2005 Commons Leader Geoff Hoon, has outlined proposals whereby it will become compulsory to vote in UK General Elections, with people who fail to cast their ballot been issued with fines. An extra box on the ballot paper would be provided labelled "None of the Above" for voters not in favor of any of the candidates.http://www.deceptikons.com/article.asp?file=165.xml Academics Bullied Over ID Cards- July 4, 2005 The Director of the London School of Economics (LSE) has accussed Home Office Ministers of Bullying Academics who criticised the new ID cards Bill.http://www.deceptikons.com/article.asp?file=164.xml Fraud Cases to be tried without Jury- July 4, 2005 The UK government has announced their intensions to abolish jury trials in cases of Serious Fraud. Cases will instead be heard by a Judge sitting alone. Both the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrat Party oppose the measures which will be voted on by MPs and Peers in autumn 2005.http://www.deceptikons.com/article.asp?file=163.xml |