Big Brother in the UK

Straw rejects 'police state' fear over UK MP's arrest
Justice Secretary Jack Straw said it was ridiculous to describe the arrest of Conservative politician Damian Green as a sign that Britain had become a "police state". Straw said he understood MPs' concern over the arrest of Conservative Immigration Spokesman Green, 52, as part of an inquiry into leaks of government material. But he denied that ministers had been involved in the Metropolitan Police action. "We do not have a police state here, despite some of the ridiculous headlines," Straw told BBC radio. "A police state would be where ministers were directing a police investigation."

I think my dislike for the right wing has been well established, but my god this example from the UK is utterly appalling. How could you agree with Opposition MPs being arrested for a leak to them, that’s the job of an Opposition, receive leaks and embarrass the government, to allow an MP to be arrested on such grounds IS proof that the UK has moved increasingly to a heavy handed Big Brother state but that move occurred well before this arrest. Blanket CCTV surveillance coverage, mobile phone databases, ASBO’s and new powers to fight ‘terrorism’ that would make George W Bush blush, the UK is far from the bastion of freedom and democracy it proclaims and has allowed itself to become something a lot less inspirational.