Some harsh realities
Manniq, 04 Nov 2005 18:06:42
Silver,
I think you are too quickly disillusioned. There is a long way to go.
The bottom line on this campaign is that we probably start in a position where Labour will have a majority of 80 plus on any bill introduced on this topic.
The reason for such a large majority is that no-one, yet, has provided ANY reason for backbenchers NOT to vote for such a bill. It sounds good (cracking down on pervs) - and with a fair media wind behind it, it will go down well in the local constituency.
Our job, over the next 18 months (not four or five weeks) is to show these MP's just how much aggro they are likely to suffer if they just nod it through.
To begin, we need to demonstrate a lot of people getting cross. This campaign begins that process, and it is growing all the time, bringing in people from well outside the bdsm world. I think we are already doing what you suggest, in terms of broadening out.
Then we need to go wide and public: every manner of media and PR trick in the book. Plenty of informative stuff (articles, articles, articles). And we need to expose the inconsistencies and stupidities in the proposal and ridicule those proposing it whenever we can.
Point out to the public wherever we thinkthis proposal will make things worse.
No: we never go all out to remove an MP. But if they start to understand that there is an electoral price to pay for supporting illiberal action, then the majority starts to shrink.
We look to the Lords to delay it - and to the ultimate chaos that is coming in the Labour party to kill it.
And even then we don't give up. We make any law passed unworkable. This is not a democratic law. It targets millions of individuals on the basis of religious bigotry - and we need to make it clear that every time this law is used, it will be contested all the way - and every time the police overstep the mark, they will be sued.
Now: I hope you are on board for that, because it is going to need tenacity and energy.
Regards,
M
> > --
> > < Paul >
> Exactly my point. MPs will worry in marginal seats but not by being threatened by a hand full of kinkys. If the canpaign was broadened to take in some of the other 'freedom' issues and attract vanilla support the government willl think twice about this bill which isn't emotive enough really for the government to want a fight, but if we insist on a 'wishy-washy' campaign which is what some of the group want, then the government have no worries.
> Silver.