Time to duck in England

On its way to the USA

[Reprinted from Issues & Views July 23, 2001]

In a London Telegraph report, "Blair Takes a Liberty on Rights," we find the Brits modifying their own laws that once guaranteed civil liberties, and copying the worst of such laws already in effect in the United States. Unfortunately, much of the abuses that the Telegraph describes have already come to the USA. When governments threaten to get tougher on drug dealers, it's usually time for everybody to duck. We learn from the Telegraph's June 21, 2001 edition:

Tony Blair embarked on his historic second term in power yesterday with a programme of authoritarian legislation curbing centuries-old individual liberties. But Mr. Blair ran into immediate criticism from civil liberties groups and opposition politicians for proposals to reform the criminal justice system. One of the most controversial moves will be abolition of the "double jeopardy" rule in murder cases, meaning that someone acquitted of a killing can be put on trial again if new evidence emerges.

The authorities would also be given stronger powers to seize the assets of suspected--not convicted--drug dealers and other criminals. Mr. Blair told the Commons: "I want Britain to be the toughest place to be a drug dealer anywhere in the Western world."

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