Richard's Kingdom

During the recent local Government elections, the Liberal Democrat candidates for my area campaigned in part on a ticket of installing more CCTV cameras. They didn’t really explain the benefits or trade-offs for the community, but they did claim the proposal was part of their strategy to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. I emailed them [...]

I hope all you UK readers are planning to swing by your polling stations to vote today if there are elections in your area. Polls are open until 22:00 this evening so there’s no excuse for missing out. I’ll be casting my vote after I get back from mountain biking this evening. I wanted to [...]

When it was unveiled by MySociety in November 2006, the e-petitions system on the 10 Downing Street website promised a new interactive era of communication between Government and the people. In practice, however, talking to the Prime Minister and friends online is more like having a conversation with a parrot. The Government’s responses to e-petitions [...]

Wanted, for incitement to identity theft… Hat tip: Ian.

I am shocked and disappointed by the House of Commons’ attempt to exempt itself and the House of Lords from the Freedom of Information Act 2000. It’s uacceptable for our leaders to seek refuge from legislation designed to improve the accountability and transparancy of public bodies. Why should there be a special exemption for MPs [...]