Ministers plan removal of rioters’ benefits

Financial times ^ | 14 Aug, 2011 | Kiran Stacey

[CharlyFord]

Ministers are drawing up controversial plans to remove benefits from those convicted of taking part in the riots that engulfed England last week, in a move Liberal Democrats and independent experts have condemned as counter-productive and overly expensive.

Officials in Number 10 and the department for work and pensions are putting together plans for the harsh punishment of those found guilty of even the most minor infringements during the riots after a public petition calling for such a move gathered nearly 200,000 signatures.

David Cameron will lay the ground for such a move on Monday, in a speech a week after the worst of the violence took place in London. The prime minister will argue that there has been a “slow-motion moral collapse” in the country, and argue that the problem needs to be tackled in various ways, including through the benefits system.

He is expected to say: “I and ministers from across the coalition government will review every aspect of our work to mend our broken society: on schools, welfare, families, parenting, addiction, communities; on the cultural, legal, bureaucratic problems in our society too.”

[TLEIBY308]

What is happening next month?

[Truth29]

"I'll bet this is met with significant resistance. The Government can't really do something this drastic, now can they?? It might hurt someone's delicate feelings!! (/sarc)"

Too bad the government didn't employ the traditional solution for looters and save the legal costs.

[wtd]

A ‘U.S. Day of Rage’ is being orchestrated for ‘Worldwide Democracy’ for Sept. 17th (think pseudoanarchist, neo-Marxist, globalist). . .A “U.S. Day of Rage” is scheduled to start an “Occupy Wall Street” camp-out on “17/9/2011″ (which would denote orchestration by those who use the British means of writing dates). And as with the “Arab Spring,” much of the organizing is being done through social media, especially super-popular Facebook and Twitter. see this link @ Trevor Loudon September 17th, coincidentally just happens to be Constitution Day. Considering "O" did campaign in '08 on a platform of "Change" . Should we expect any less given this current occupant of the oval office also stated that the American Constitution is fundamentally flawed to this day?

[blam]

"Cutting off freebies will be declared cruel and unusual punishment. Can’t do that!! "

Yup. Their kids will go hungry, can't have that.

[blam]

"Cutting off freebies will be declared cruel and unusual punishment. Can’t do that!! "

Yup. Their kids will go hungry, can't have that.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Well, I’m about as ‘dug in’ as I can be. I’ll weather that storm if there is one...

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Good to know. Thanks.

[Freedom4US]

“Cotroversial”

Is NewSpeak, and when used in this context invariably means that there is virtually no controversy whatsoever, and actually enjoys about a 95% approval rating, except amongst a vanishingly small percentage of nut jobs who likely had a hand in causing whatever the problem was to begin with.

[bossmechanic]

I hate to be the whinney liberal here but shouldn’t the “feral” rioters just be arrested for the crimes they actually commit? Making new rules and imposing a novel penalty for this particular form of stupidity doesn’t say much for the British rule of law. Wouldn’t this kinda be like our Congress deciding to deny SS/DI benefits to panthers that intimidated voters in ‘08? It may feel good but it doesn’t exactly conform to due process.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

“What is happening next month?

I seriously hope that you are kidding me...

[The_Reader_David]

As an American, I would observe that this would constitute an ex post facto law, one of the tyrannies we threw off in our War of Independence.

While a hard line against the rioters is warranted, I object to the application of ex post facto laws anywhere as tyranny, whether wielded by monarchs, dictators or parliamentary majorities, even if they represent a genuine expression of the popular will.

[Graybeard58]

Does the U.K. have their own version of the A.C.L.U.?

[DesertRhino]

This is of course,,,reasonable. But stop and reflect for a moment, our increasingly totalitarian government pushes to be the sole provider of housing, food, income, medical care, retirement, etc.

Imagine protesting a government that can bankrupt you for political protest. Obama is already equating TEA to terrorism. I happen to think that isn’t accidental.

[Melchior]

Bill Clinton signed a couple of laws with ex post facto elements. The Republicans whined, but no one tried to burn down the Capitol.

[The Antiyuppie]

Britain doesn’t actually have a Constitution, but I don’t know where “rights” come in, unless from the Magna Carta.

[Chickensoup]

While a hard line against the rioters is warranted, I object to the application of ex post facto laws anywhere as tyranny, whether wielded by monarchs, dictators or parliamentary majorities, even if they represent a genuine expression of the popular will

agreed.

Instead, prosecute.

[The_Reader_David]

Whining is not the appropriate response to ex post facto laws. On this side of the pond, a challenge to their Constitutionality is. In Britain, I'm afraid, they don't have that option, so it's either putting in a new parliament to reverse them, insurrection, or I suppose, a popular outcry to Her Majesty to deny a royal assent to the law. The trouble is, popular sentiment in this case, is in favor of an ex post facto law.

Having had our thoughts on the subject formed by the Cold War, we forget that the Soviet Union and Red China were unusual in having tyrannies imposed on them by activist minorities. Over the long sweep of human history tyranny usually arises with initial popular acclaim and broad public support.

[stefanbatory]

party at Diana’s bunker!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

LOL! Always, Baby! You & yours will be safe & warm at Mama’s Compound.

BTW, you are manning the attic turret or the crocodile moat; your choice. Bring a Hot Dish to pass; firearms will be provided. We’re Lutherans, By The Grace of God, LOL! :)

[stefanbatory]

need to work on my marksmanship again...but first, i need to go to work...