The government has lost it

[marmaladeandpeanutbutter]

Socialism, anti-fascism and anti-abortion have all been put on Prevent's list of terrorism warning signs 🤣

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/mar/07/socialism-anti-fascism-anti-abortion-prevent-list-terrorism-warning-signs

Anti -fascism isn't even contentious in a democracy!

I personally think we are heading into a surreal democracy where we vote but have absolutely no say or right to challenge.

Even at a local level we have lost our right to challenge decisions.

From my perspective such rules will only widen the gap from our representation and ourselves and inflame the publics response.

All extremes are contentious. It’s all about nuance. I don’t want extremists of any type quite frankly. Prevent is about prevention of extreme positions leading to danger for others. At the extreme margins people can turn to violence but this is about preventing such behaviour. Cannot get that bothered about it.

We can challenge. We just do it legally and in a non threatening way. We do need to step away from violence and threatening others who are doing something they are entitled to do.

Definitely agree about the loss of local challenge, especially in an area that is basically always blue or red. We’ve had a bunch of low traffic Neighbourhoods imposed on us, despite huge local opposition, and it has really unsettled me. I understand councils are cash strapped but it’s just so blatant an exercise in revenue generation without any interest in whether or not it’s something the local populace actually want.

I wasn't even considering violence. I think it's the thin end of a wedge and if the Tories had their way we would end up a few years down the line in a situation where we couldn't even express such opinions. I dont know it but Im sure people must have been referred to prevent for saying things, rather than planning violence? It's vague as hell, anyway.

On the other hand, it could very well be just electioneering nonsense chucked out there to gain votes. Wouldn't surprise me 🤷🏾‍♀️.
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All parties end up chucking out silly ideas to get votes. Low traffic neighbourhoods are all about being green. Allegedly. In reality they push traffic to main roads and cheaper housing areas. Labour won’t stop this and it’s definitely LIb Dem policy. As we have first past the post election system we exclude many people. The majority rarely vote for the party in power even if the have a huge majority of seats. We were given the chance to change it in 2011 I think it was. You cannot, as an individual, expect to get heard. Or even as a neighbourhood if the elected council or government thinks differently and was elected on their manifesto. Not yours,

@TizerorFizz I think it speaks to a flaw in the democratic process and ultimately undermines confidence in it. Locally, LTNs weren’t even in the manifesto yet they have been imposed on people against their will. It’s pretty scandalous tbh, and these are the sorts of things that people care about most as they have a direct impact on their lives and in some cases livelihoods.

We don’t have referenda though. We don’t get what we want or, frankly, expect to. Councils tell us. It’s always been like this. In many many areas of life controlled by councils. Did you want them to use RAAK? Did you want schools to be academies? Do you want potholes filled in a timely manner? Do you want decent care for the elderly? Do you want less pollution? Do you want to pay less council tax? Do you need more parking in your town to boost high street trade? We can say yes or no to all of these but someone will be disappointed as you don’t get to say what you want as an individual and we don’t have referenda. Their policies change to suit circumstances and pressure groups have more sway, eg cyclists.