Scottish Libertarians reject and utterly condemn ongoing attempts by the Home Office to further chip away at the civil liberties of British citizens, both in Scotland and the United Kingdom at large.

This bill would give licence to GCHQ to tap phones, eavesdrop on private conversations, and track internet usage of anyone who might fall under Parliament’s capricious definition of thoughtcrime.

Too often has the risk of terrorism been used by Tory and Labour governments as an excuse to strip UK residents of their right to privacy, freedom of speech, and freedom of association.

The presence of this bill, along with the existence of GCHQ itself, is an affront to centuries of liberal progress away from authoritarian, centralized control of human beings by the state. We believe that its passing would be symptomatic of an ever increasing disregard for individual liberty, and a worrying mindset that the end justifies the means.

To deny British citizens their natural rights to privacy, freedom of speech, and freedom of association (including when those rights are sometimes inconvenient) in the name of fighting terrorism, constitutes a victory for the goals of terrorism itself.

We are confident that all citizens, regardless of party or ideology will recognise the folly of this legislation, and ensure it is soundly defeated.

Scottish Libertarians