The criminalisation of political dissent in Britain

Since the start of April, some 300 people have been arrested and detained in just three police operations. The vast majority of these were rounded up in two of these operations, both focusing on a supposed threat to “public order”.

Maintaining public order is now a pseudonym for the criminalising of political dissent.

Even before the G20 summit of world leaders began in London, five people were arrested in Plymouth under the Terrorism Act, reportedly accused of possessing “material relating to political ideology”.

All were released without charge, but the fact that political activism is considered a criminal offence in 21st century Britain was subsequently writ large on the streets of the capital.

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Labour is stifling the right to protest

The news that government officials have been passing intelligence on climate change activists to a power company serves to underline the unhealthy closeness between big business and the British government during the Labour years. What was traditionally thought to be a Tory weakness is now palpably a Labour one, for the government is not just enthralled by polluters but also those international giants that are intent on selling surveillance systems; think of the expensive bits of hard and software which have been, or are being, purchased for e-Borders, identity cards and communications interception and storage.

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Rory's Comment: The conclusion that Guardian journalist Henry Porter will not arrive at must, however, be made: a government that works hand-in-glove with corporate interests such as we now have both here in Britain and the USA can only be described as fascist. "Ask Mussolini about that," says Gerald Celente. "He knew a thing or two about it!"