"As an ex-Brit, I’m well aware of the authorities’ love of surveillance and snooping, but even I, a pessimistic cynic, am amazed by the governments latest plan: to install Orwell’s telescreens in 20,000 homes.£400 million ($668 million) will be spend on installing and monitoring CCTV cameras in the homes of private citizens. Why? To make sure the kids are doing their homework, going to bed early and eating their vegetables. The scheme has, astonishingly, already been running in 2,000 family homes. The government’s “children’s secretary” Ed Balls is behind the plan, which is aimed at problem, antisocial families. The idea is that, if a child has a more stable home life, he or she will be less likely to stray into crime and drugs.It gets worse. The government is also maintaining a private army, incredibly not called “Thought Police”, which will “be sent round to carry out home checks,” according to the Sunday Express. And in a scheme which firmly cements the nation’s reputation as a “nanny state”, the kids and their families will be forced to sign “behavior contracts” which will “set out parents’ duties to ensure children behave and do their homework.”
And remember, this is the left-wing government. The Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling, batting for the conservatives, thinks these plans are “too little, and too late,” implying that even more obtrusive work needs to be done. Rumors that a new detention center, named Room 101, is being constructed inside the Ministry of Love are unconfirmed."
Sin Bins for Worst Families [Sunday Express. Thanks, Annaliza]
Photo illustration Charlie Sorrel, original image public domain
@ 'Wired'
I knew it, its all true what I see on spooks
ReplyDeleteYeah but anyone from England will tell you that the Sunday Express is not exactly a reliable source of facts and is well known for sensationalist exaggeration and over-reaction.
ReplyDeleteI agree living in England is shit, though it's because of the fucking awful news media (90% owned by a goddamn Australian anyway) as much as it is because of both sides of pathetic government.
Fuck the Express, Fuck Parliament, and Fuck the chavvy little fuckhead families who, in the end probably do need monitoring 24-7 to be honest.
We used to put all these scumfucks on a boat and banish them to Australia.. Now you say you moved there by choice? Maybe I'll have to join you.
@Anon/
ReplyDeleteI didn't write the article, it's from 'Wired' but having said that, I am English and left UK in 83 and arrived in Melbourne (one of the greatest cities in the world) via three/four years in Amsterdam.
I agree re: Express/Murdoch/Chavs and Parliament, but as I say I had enough of Thatcher way back then and Labour just really seem to have kept things rolling in the same direction! Where are Guy Fawkes and the Angry Brigade when you need them eh?
Regards/