David Kirwan

Sir,

The mystery surrounding Jon Venables and the unprecedented steps by the Prime Minister downwards to justify a cloak of anonymity has taken the operation of the Human Rights Act to indefensible lengths. The Act was originally trumpeted as the new Bill of Rights. However, the resultant wave of human rights cases in the Courts has been dominated by an application of the Act to sections of society the least deserving of protection. We have seen in recent times the Courts set aside Control Orders imposed on suspected terrorists for so called infringement of their basic civil liberties and ‘lifers’ winning compensation for delays by the Parole Board. At the other end of the spectrum householders have faced prosecution for defending their homes whilst their assailant’s rights have prevailed even to the extent of compensation for injuries sustained whilst illegally gaining entry. The application of the Act has become a slogan for political correctness. The public is sickened today by a society which spends hundreds of thousands of pounds of tax payer’s money on protecting the likes of Venables & Thompson whilst vulnerable children like Baby P suffer, for it is claimed, lack of resources in Social Services. It strikes me that we are devoting too much time and attention today on spot fines for dropping cigarette butts and putting silicon chips into householder’s bins.  Perhaps the cynical exploitation by MPs of their expenses is but a symptom of a society badly in need of reformation, the restoration of family values and justice for the vulnerable? Before we go to the ballot boxes on May 6th we would do well to consider lighting a ‘Guy Fawkes bonfire’ under the whole concept of the political correctness, a disease of this age as pernicious as any affecting our physical bodies.

David Kirwan

Prospective Independent MP for Wirral West