What do readers make of the state's powers on secret surveillance? Have we got right the balance between the protection of the national interest and the protection of our privacy and ability to go about our business? I am moved to ask because last night, I watched Enemy of the State on TV. For those who haven't seen it, it is a yipping yarn about the abuse of power and invasion of privacy by Government agents. The forces of freedom win, as they always seem to in Hollywood movies.
For some reason this film made me think about the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 - the one that allows local councils to spy on anxious school run parents. A friend of mine runs an ISP. He tells me he get a daily barrage of RIPA requests to look at your emails and the internet sites you are viewing from across Government for all sorts of seemingly minor reasons. He is concerned it has all gone to far and at the lack of scrutiny. No doubt phone companies get similar requests to listen in to your calls. The Conservative Party has a tradition of scepticism here as can be seen from this 1929 election poster and I feel deeply uncomfortable about the current position. Is it time to restore checks and balances above a junior Police officer signing off a request, should local councils and loads of Government workers have access to these powers, or should there be a limitation to a national security purpose only? I'd really like to know where you think the balance lies and I think it could help our Parliamentary team too.