A new policing bill has just passed the first stage in the House of Commons, aimed at reducing crime, particularly violent and sexual offences. Except it does none of those things - because the real aim here is not reducing crime; it's control.
The Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts Bill, which, by the Government's own analysis, shows “limited evidence that the combined set of measures will deter offenders long term or reduce overall crime”, is being pushed through despite fierce opposition and criticism.
The bill is being paraded by Downing Street as your typical 'tough on crime' Conservative nonsense (which all too many people sadly still believe) - but don't let this fool you. If they wanted to do this, then why does sentencing for those convicted of rape start at just 5 years? Why is the Ministry of Justice's budget being cut? When conviction rates for domestic abuse, sexual assault, and rape are falling despite evidence that incidences are on the rise, this cannot be considered a genuine attempt to tackle such issues. If it is, it's pathetic.
What is this bill really about, then? The most important aspect is this - a newly created 'public nuisance law'. Essentially, this law allows police to arrest anyone causing “serious annoyance or inconvenience”. Who decides what constitutes “serious annoyance or inconvenience”? Priti Patel.
In short, is this bill is passed into law, Priti Patel (and those who succeed her in the Home Office), or even the PM himself, can shut down any protest they like at will. Given Mrs Patel's, and indeed this Government's, distaste towards movements like Extinction Rebellion, Black Lives Matter (which she famously described as "dreadful"), and related protests focused on slave-traders and colonialists, there are no prizes for guessing which ones will be shut down, and which will be left alone.
The punishment for defying this law? Up to TEN YEARS in prison. That's right, if you rape someone, you get 5 years, but if you wave a placard that Priti Patel doesn't like, you get ten. It seems, in her view, the only thing worse than a rapist is a child...protesting.
In the midst of heightening racial tensions in the UK, the Government has also conceded that this bill will likely worsen racial inequality, entrenching discrimination deeper into the police and criminal justice sectors, and disproportionately affect black people and other ethnic minorities. The next time a person of colour is killed by police while protesting, and it will happen, their blood will be on your hands, Mrs Patel.
This bill contradicts everything we should be standing for. It's 296 pages are seething with hate, callousness, and the most astounding lack of empathy imaginable. The authoritarianism of this Government is becoming incredibly dangerous, and as always, it will be those already marginalised who suffer most. Priti Patel has said in the past that it was no less than Margaret Thatcher who inspired her to get into politics - it shows. The Home Secretary shares many of Mrs Thatcher's qualities - her outdated and draconian views, her absence of compassion, and above all her ruthless lust for power. We can only hope she never reaches the highest office of them all.
The fact that people are now protesting for the right to protest freely is simply unbelievable. We are supposed to be a beacon of democracy, of liberal values like equality, and justice, and yet we are treating demonstrations like a truly authoritarian nation. In Russia, the punishment for protest is a $30,000 fine. In Turkey and Egypt, you get 5 and 7 years in prison respectively. If this bill passes, in the UK, you could get 10. Let that sink in.
The bill must not pass. It will do near irreparable damage to our democracy, and will substantially worsen already unacceptable inequalities. A petition against the bill has already reached 150,000 signatures, and protests are underway on the streets of Westminster. As ever, don't be a silent voice - if you can't go out and protest, then sign a petition, email your MP, or help raise awareness on social media. Do everything you can to help #KillTheBill , and fight for the right to protest freely.
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