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E-Petition: response from the Government
The e-petition asking the Prime Minister to "Stop proposed restrictions regarding photography in public places" is on-going. This is a response in advance of the closing date from the Government.
Thank you for signing the petition on the Downing Street website calling for the Prime Minister to stop proposed restrictions on photography in public places.
This petition has already attracted over 60,000 signatures from people who obviously share your concern. Not surprisingly, the idea that the Government might be poised to restrict your ability to take photos has caused some puzzlement and even alarm.
We have therefore decided to respond to this petition before its closing date of August, in order to reassure people.
The Government appreciates that millions of people in this country enjoy photography. So we have checked carefully to see if any Government department was considering any proposal that might possibly lead to the sort of restrictions suggested by this petition. We have been assured this is not the case.
There may be cases where individual schools or other bodies believe it is necessary to have some restrictions on photography, for instance to protect children, but that would be a matter for local decisions.
In fact, Simon Taylor, who started the petition, has since made clear that he was not really referring to Government action or legislation. His main concern appears to be that photographic societies and other organisations may introduce voluntary ID cards for members to help them explain why they are taking photographs. Again, any such scheme would not involve the Government.
We hope this re-assures you and clears up the confusion.
These e-petitions are fun, aren’t they?
Alright, so it seems it was all a hoo-hah over nothing (<twitch>or so they claim</twitch>) but unlike others, I think that the 60,000 signatories have made a valid point. Our beloved and democratically elected representatives seem very keen to preserve our freedom by restricting our freedoms and I don’t think it’s too much of a leap of logic to foresee a time when people taking photographs in public are at least challenged about their cameras.
March 31st, 2007 at 1:00 am
Really? Where are these proposals for “resticting our freedoms”? I agree that there is reportedly some hysteria in recent years about any photography involving children… (whither common sense).
For another line on the petition see here. Beware! This could also be the work of the “powers that be”, trying to fool you.
Lionel: In making my reference to “restricting our freedoms” I was thinking specifically of sections 44 and 45 of the Terrorism Act, 2000, and the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act ridiculed by young Mr Thomas the other evening rather than any photographically specific plans.