[Merged] Foxhunting Ban and the Commons Invasion

Marge · 15-09-2004, 16:26

Some protestors have managed to break in the Houses of Parliament while they are debating the hunting bill

Live on the news channels atm, looks like some bums need kicking AGAIN

4 protestors appeared from the side of the room behind the Speaker, 1 from the back and chaos then ensued

zovat · 15-09-2004, 16:40

It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling to know that the seat of our democracy is safe from intruders

Once again we are faced with the dillema - increase security, and upset the civil rights morons, I mean activists, or keep it as it is, and allow anyone who tries hard enough to get into the inner sanctums of our establishment.

Yet again the questions will be:

Q: what if it was a terrorist attack?
A: it wasn't

Q: but what if it was.
A: but it wasn't so that is an irrelevant quesion.

Ad infinitum.

Ah well... (waits for an engaging debate on security and civil rights...)

Nor · 15-09-2004, 16:44

Its unbelievable how lax the security is. Our whole parliament could have been wiped out.

Marge · 15-09-2004, 16:49

Can't even begin to imagine if they had bombs/guns etc. What the hell is going on, how are these people getting past security. Well, these things come in threes so whats next ???

Just watching the clip on Sky News and, no discrimination here, the security seem to be quite older chaps who it seems were no match for the protestors, they were quite easily brushed aside.........

bob_builder · 15-09-2004, 16:50

It makes you wonder how on earth Guy Fawkes failed...

dilli-theclaw · 15-09-2004, 16:54

Security won't be taken seriously until someone breaks in with a machine gun and shoots them all...

Nor · 15-09-2004, 16:54

Its because security in the house is not controlled by the police, but the master at arms. Who is an old bloke with a sword and clearly an outdated knowledge of security.

The worst thing about this, is its just after new security measures were put in place after a lengthy investigation after the flour incident. Its shocking.

Graham M · 15-09-2004, 16:56

You broke into Parliament in the days of Guy Fawkes, and you got Hung/Guilotined/Decapitated in nasty ways. It was a far better means of prevention

Nor · 15-09-2004, 17:01

Heard somewhere that the met police let them in because they decided they weren't a threat. Hard to believe if thats true. Fair enough, don't shoot them if they aren't a threat but don't let them in. Whack em in the forehead with the butt

keithwalton · 15-09-2004, 17:11

Strange how the politicians didnt twig as to why they did it. I'm not condoneing their actions, but I am disgraced by the current methods of the commons. How dare they bypass the lords on this issue. The lords are not biased with respect to elections and being voted in and such. They are in a better position to make unbiased decisions than the commons, yet this motion has failed the lords the first time. So they skip them the second time ? somthings not quite rite here droves of people are protesting outside as well, they wont be heard / known about as the politicians are isolated from the public outcry until its to late.
Quite frankly it stinks, also notice how few people were in the chamber to how many were there afterwards, it seems the number of people increased 4 fold, what were they doing when they're paid to debate not sit and have coffee and ignore it

**Maggy** · 15-09-2004, 17:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

You broke into Parliament in the days of Guy Fawkes, and you got Hung/Guilotined/Decapitated in nasty ways. It was a far better means of prevention

Guy Fawkes was probably an innocent of a contrived conspiracy to make James 1st more attractive to the country.Now if you want real conspiracy theories this is one that should suit.

Frankly I think a few foxhunters are a better prospect than animal rights activists.The latter have some very worrying tactics.

**Chris** · 15-09-2004, 17:22

Well, if you want to take a democratic stand in favour of the hunting lobby, vote Tory. Michael Howard is committed to repealing this nasty little piece of class-war legislation when they return to power.

I was spitting fury as I drove to work this morning listening to a Guardian columnist bleating on about how hunting has to be abolished as it is one of the last remnants of the feudal system which kept the aristocrats in power and the peasants in line. How dare he, or anyone, presume to make laws based on such an ideological notion?

I tell you, there are some people in this country who pay lip service to the idea of democracy when what they really want to do is smooth-talk their way into power and then use their position to tell everyone what to do and how to think. And I find that a great many of them are lurking on the back benches of the Labour party. It's chilling.

15-09-2004, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Debsy42

Can't even begin to imagine if they had bombs/guns etc. What the hell is going on, how are these people getting past security. Well, these things come in threes so whats next ???

Just watching the clip on Sky News and, no discrimination here, the security seem to be quite older chaps who it seems were no match for the protestors, they were quite easily brushed aside.........

Debs, the security is run by a private company + the Metropolitian Police, we went to London in March on a lobby of parliament, the security then was tight due to the war in Iraq, you had to go through 3 searches then go through an Xray machine to make sure you weren't carrying any guns. People can only get into the house chambers if they are invited by their own MP, we was invited by Alan Meale Labour MP for Mansfield, we got to speak to Tony Blair, Gordon Brown Alan Meale, and several other MP's. It's not that easy to get in there honest. If you are ever in London I urge you to take a look round the houses of Parliament, you can go in on a visit but you are restricted to the main foyer and cafe areas. Hope this clers it up a little?

Russ · 15-09-2004, 17:39

I agree - I got in to the public gallery 18 months ago and got frisked 3 times, went through 4 metal detectors and and x-ray machine and STILL had burly security guards milling about.

So how on earth did these guys get through?

Marge · 15-09-2004, 17:42

Nidge, I have actually been inside the Houses of Parliament, I went with school many years ago, in fact I feel that ancient I think the PM was Winston Churchill

TBH I can't remember that much about it but I don't think a gaggle of giggling schoolgirls presented much of a security risk, we went for Prime Ministers Questions. Was all very exciting stuff at the time