Digital Economy Bill - You can still write to your MP

[stytagm]

Hi All,

The Digital Economy bill is getting punted through parliament right now, but you can still write to your MP online, (for or against I'm not telling you what to think, just what to do about it!).

Use http://www.writetothem.com/ (which is linked from the very excellent http://www.theyworkforyou.com/) and (politely) ask your MP to represent your views when he votes on this bill.

Linkies:
BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8603285.stm

Against:
http://www.openrightsgroup.org/
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/spe...tremeinternetl

For:
http://www.creativecoalitioncampaign.org.uk/

Make your own mind up, but get outraged, get active, get off your backsides and make democracy work.

Thank you, that is all.

[Steve]

Already mailed my MP. I hope it made a difference.

[dangel]

Same here, did this a while back - as we all should. Chilling stuff.

[GheeTsar]

Only problem is that there is now a general election and MPs minds are on other things - in fact they are only MPs until the 12th April and they stop sitting in parliament on Thursday this week.

Not to say people shouldn't take action/voice their opinion on this matter - just that it'll be pretty futile at the moment and may well be better timed just after May 6th.

[stytagm]

Only problem is that there is now a general election and MPs minds are on other things - in fact they are only MPs until the 12th April and they stop sitting in parliament on Thursday this week.

Not to say people shouldn't take action/voice their opinion on this matter - just that it'll be pretty futile at the moment and may well be better timed just after May 6th.

Alas - that's why there's a problem. This bill is in the "wash up" process, where they have 2 days to rush through as many bills as possible before parliament is dissolved next week. So this is literally being debated right now (for about 20 minutes) when it really should be left until the next parliament after the election.

[Guy]

I sent one of those letters to my MP against the Bill, and recieved a response.

I recieved this email this morning, tried calling but couldnt get through whilst in the car on the way to a site.

Just over an hour and a quater to go, its not too late. Letters won't get there in time, however if you can get through on the phones it should get your point of view across.

Today Parliament is planning to rush through the Digital Economy Bill.

Together we've sent tens of thousands of emails to our MPs urging a proper debate. Our pressure is working. Last week the Liberal Democrats caved in and announced they wouldn't support rushing the bill into law. We're now hearing from more and more MPs voicing serious concerns. But we don't have enough support to stop the bill becoming law, yet.

Will your call your MP now and tell them why the bill shouldn't be rushed into law? It's quick and easy to call your MP. Click here for everything you need to make the call including instructions and your MPs phone number:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/deb-call-your-mp

MPs saw our demand for a proper debate in the Times and the Guardian this morning. Now when the MPs get into work we need to make sure that our voice is heard, that their phones don't stop ringing about the bill.

It's not everyday we call our MP - and your MPs know that. But on a matter as important as this a flood of phone calls could be what's needed to stop the bill being fast tracked into law.

The debate starts at 3:30 so please call now to ensure your MP hears from you before the debate starts.

Just click here to get started:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/deb-call-your-mp

[pollaxe]

I wrote to my MP about this - I heard precisely nothing back. I've written to him twice before and never heard anything so I'm not surprised

I'm consistently disappointed though.

He's a Lib Dem and it seems as though they (the LDs) have turned against the wash-up/cover-up factor at least.

Bloody politicians, it's a shame they think we need them.

[Guy]

I actually got a proper response, if I remember I will take it to work, scan and upload it. my MP (Sir George Young, Conservative) has always responded in the past, and its not some sort of fob off answer. He listens to his constituents, and in the expenses scandel wasnt a money grabbing bar-steward like a few others from other areas.

[stytagm]

Cool - I got a response! It was from his PA, but still pleased to get a response so fast.

Thank you for your e-mail. I assure you that Rudi will not support rushing through
internet laws.

Yours sincerely

David Robinson

PA to Rudi Vis

It's a bit cryptic, but I think he's voting against it? Unless he's implying that they don't think this bill is rushed through?

[Steve]

Stephen Williams MP sent a fairly lengthy response to everyone who contacted him about it.

It looks like he won't vote for it, and he's sending an update later in the week - so we'll see.

[TheAnimus]

It's a bit cryptic, but I think he's voting against it? Unless he's implying that they don't think this bill is rushed through?

I got something similar from him/his pa......

Would like to know what actually happened.

[Grey M@a]

Been debated on BBC Parliament for the last few hours. House was half full to begin with then within an hour 12 representatives were left, now even less, don't get your hopes up as it seems most of them couldn't be bothered to turn up to discuss it in the first place.

[pollaxe]

Looks like the Tories are supporting it, I'll be very surprised if it doesn't pass. Disgusting.

Edit
"Approximately 40 out of the UK's 646 MPs attended the debate."
God bless 'em, they really earn their wages/allowances, don't they? Bah.
From here

[format]

Did it pass yet or is it still being debated?

[Platinum]

http://grimdotdotdot.tumblr.com/post...k-britain-this

Utter joke :

"Peter Luff, the Conservative Chairman of the Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Committee, said that he 'hated and loathed' the process by which the Bill was being brought through, calling it a 'scandal' and 'the most profoundly unsatisfactory constitutional process I have engaged with in my 18 years in the House' - before saying that he would vote for it anyway. "

[Grey M@a]

Did it pass yet or is it still being debated?

According to the Guardian, around 3.4% of MP's have turned out to vote on it so I would guess already that it's going to be passed.