...In New-Labour's new British paradise, we'll all have to go along to our local cop shop, get our fingers printed, photos taken, DNA swabbed, inside leg measured for our RFID-chip-readable, data-laden ID cards, then stand on one leg, sing the national anthem and provide a series of answers to conform to Whitehall's interpretation of 'British-ness'.
Then, once we've done that, we'll all trudge home along the streets with CCTV cameras barking 'advice' at us, we'll board a bus or train with our track-able nation-wide Oyster cards, or drive home in our hyper-taxed cars with sky drones tracking our every twist and turn. If we stop at the shops, or visit the GP, we'll have to present our ID card or no purchase / provision of service, will be possible.
When we get home, we'll find a council inspector, or newly empowered bailiff, or Health and Safety inspector - demanding entry to our homes. When we've dealt with that, we'll go down the pub, knock back a watered-down pint with government health warnings plastered all over it, and stand outside in the freezing rain for a joyless smoke. Going home, you'll need to present your ID card to a flak-jacketed, machine-pistol wielding rozzer.
Not many people will protest against this, for fear of: 1), being branded a terrorist (who will likely become more active); 2), being arrested under new 180-day detention without trial terror legislation; or 3), being 'renditioned' to Git'mo.
It'll be useless writing to your MP as due to the recent passing of the Reg’ & Leg' bill - aka Nu-Labour's enabling act - an awful lot of 'historic anachronisms' will have been outlawed. Y' know, quaint little old customs like a jury trial, presumption of innocence, right to appeal, habeas corpus, legal aid. Or perhaps the riot act will have been read in parliament, and Cromwell, sorry, Gordon, will have prorogued the institution anyway, citing a national emergency.
The BBC, ITV and Sky TV will screen wall-to-wall lifestyle or reality programmes on our tele-screens. Reporting of the endless war with Eurabia will be kept to a minimum. Internet sites will be heavily monitored thanks to enabling technology from certain well-known firms who are doing the same in China, and many site will be blocked in the UK due to 'security concerns'. Libraries and book stores will monitor our reading and stop stocking certain books.
Prescriptions for Soma, sorry, prozac, will have sky-rocketed. Misdemeanours in one's personal life will have definite implications in professional life, and an army of ankle-tagged ASBO- branded 'chav-gangs' will be a frequent sight, as they engage in community service. (Unless Australia can be convinced to become a penal colony again).
Think I'm being paranoid? A surprising amount of the above is either already on the statute books or soon will be. And if current trends continue, this WILL be a picture of Britain in about 10 or 20 years time. But if this is British-ness, it's not a form I wish to see.
But it's a form Nu-Labour and their chums appear to be headed towards, and, given the way Britain is sleep-walking into one party state authoritarian-ism (whether Britain is ruled by the red or blue tribal parties), I think Churchill was right... 1940 WAS Britain's finest hour. Welcome to Cruel Britannia.
Friday, 8 June 2007
Friday, 1 June 2007
London on film...
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/film/2007/06/is_london_an_uncinematic_city.html
My response to the above blog...
Four Weddings and a Funeral does make the South Bank look pretty darn fabulous. Esp' that momentary tantalising bridge shot. I've been reasonably impressed by those recent apocolyptic versions of London like 28 days, esp' Children of Men. Notting Hill is a tres cheesy movie natch, but that tracking shot of Hugh Grant as he walks through the market is still rather well done (tho' also cheesy). If the author can't imagine a car chase in London, he should watch the Sweeney as previous poster said - and the Professionals. I myself thought Match Point was visually rather good, but hey, I'm a foreigner. That rotter did for gorgeous Scarlett in a charming street in Marylebone, a stone's throw from Holmes's supposed digs in Baker Street. I think a lot of folks are forgetting that The Long Good Friday and Mona Lisa do a good job of showcasing Londinium, as does Layer Cake. Previous poster mentioned Werewolves of London, a timeless classic. While Mike Leigh is there for the nitty gritty kitchen sink stuff in Secrets and Lies. To my mind, any view of London in cinema has to go down to The City and The Thames. As the Clash said: 'I live by the river'. It's Friday afternoon and London's calling. Mine's a pint. Ding Dong.
My response to the above blog...
Four Weddings and a Funeral does make the South Bank look pretty darn fabulous. Esp' that momentary tantalising bridge shot. I've been reasonably impressed by those recent apocolyptic versions of London like 28 days, esp' Children of Men. Notting Hill is a tres cheesy movie natch, but that tracking shot of Hugh Grant as he walks through the market is still rather well done (tho' also cheesy). If the author can't imagine a car chase in London, he should watch the Sweeney as previous poster said - and the Professionals. I myself thought Match Point was visually rather good, but hey, I'm a foreigner. That rotter did for gorgeous Scarlett in a charming street in Marylebone, a stone's throw from Holmes's supposed digs in Baker Street. I think a lot of folks are forgetting that The Long Good Friday and Mona Lisa do a good job of showcasing Londinium, as does Layer Cake. Previous poster mentioned Werewolves of London, a timeless classic. While Mike Leigh is there for the nitty gritty kitchen sink stuff in Secrets and Lies. To my mind, any view of London in cinema has to go down to The City and The Thames. As the Clash said: 'I live by the river'. It's Friday afternoon and London's calling. Mine's a pint. Ding Dong.
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