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Did the Queen Just Resurrect the Snooper's Charter?

Posted by timothy on from the by-the-way-monarchy-has-some-downsides dept.

DavidGilbert99 writes "This time last year the Queen officially introduced the Communications Data Bill (known as the Snooper's Charter to those opposing it). Last month it was effectively killed when the UK deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said it went too far and he wouldn't support it. Today the Queen was back and while there was no official mention of the Communications Data Bill, there was mention of 'crime in cyberspace' and a very strong hint that more legislation to monitor people's online activity is on the way."

6 of 214 comments (clear)

  1. The Queen by Intrepid+imaginaut · · Score: 4, Informative

    I don't think the queen had much to do with it so I'm not sure why she's getting a mention. This would fall under "official duties that have to be carried out or I lose my allowance". The royalty just do as they are told by the politicians.

  2. Re:Royalty? Just say no. by deusmetallum · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I would disagree. It's nice to think that royaly has some for of power in the country, but in reality they do not (at least, not in the UK). The Queen's speech will have been written for her by Parliament, so in instances like this, her opinions are not really her own.

    Many Brits will agree (though not all), that having a monarchy does a great deal of good for our nation and the commenwelth, strengthening reltationships, and providing a massive tourist industry.

    Worth every penny in my books.

  3. For those outside of the UK by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The Queens speech is not written by the Queen.

    It's a summary of the Governments plans for the next legislative period, written by the government.

    She just reads it out.

  4. Queen's speech interpreted as meaning bill is dead by Sockatume · · Score: 5, Informative

    The Queen's speech outlined the various bills that Parliment intends to bring in, and the "snooper's charter" wasn't one of them; the absence of any given bill from the speech is widely (and uncontroversially) taken to mean that the bill is dead. The government's comments that it intends to find other ways to address computer crime would seem to back this interpretation.

    --
    No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
  5. I think.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ..someone needs to read up on how constitutional monarchy works.

  6. Re:Royalty? Just say no. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Agreed. The alternative, US style at least, a politically motivated president that we treat with honour and respect? No thanks. Lets keep our politicians where they stand, a PM that we can hate and bad mouth in the commons and a powerless head of state to do the ceremonial guff who we can treat with honour and respect.