IS THERE MORE TO FREEDOM THAN “CIVIL LIBERTIES”?

• In the light of the Convention on Modern Liberty, how should we campaign in defence of freedom in the 21st Century?

IS THERE MORE TO FREEDOM THAN “CIVIL LIBERTIES”?

Sunday March 8th at 3.30pm

Speaker: Josie Appleton, convenor of the Manifesto Club

Thousands have gathered across the UK to attend the Convention on Modern Liberty, an important event discussing the state of freedom and civil liberties today. Concerns range from the expansion of the ‘database-state’ and increased power to share personal information, to the imminent introduction of ID cards and the pragmatic misuse of anti-terror legislation.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw argues that the idea there is a groundswell of concern is not supported by communication with his constituents. Many people, he says, will welcome the “freedom to live without fear in an atmosphere of tolerance and respect”.

Indeed some say restrictions on our liberties should go even further: ex-London Mayor Ken Livingstone has recently argued that “luxuries” such as flying and even eating meat should now be rationed in order to secure our planet from global warming.

• Is Britain “sleepwalking into a surveillance state”, or are our freedoms protected by the Human Rights Act?
• Is the concern about the erosion of our liberties limited to a vocal minority of society, with the majority recognising this to be necessary?
• Is the reason civil liberties are being curbed just because of the war on terror?
• In the light of the Convention on Modern Liberty, how should we campaign in defence of freedom in the 21st Century?

Venue: The Ship Pub (Top Floor), Holborn, London WC2A 3HP
Price: Free - open to all students and young professionals. RSVP required.
RSVP to: currentaffairs@instituteofideas.com or call: 0207 629 9220

Suggested Readings:
Jack Straw. Our record isn't perfect. But talk of a police state is daft.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/27/freedom-of-information-straw

Henry Porter. Yesterday saw the birth of a great movement for liberty.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2009/mar/01/civil-liberties-jack-straw

Suzanne Moore. Joni Mitchell was right, you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1157994/SUZANNE-MOORE-Joni-said--dont-know-youve-got-till-gone.html

Josie Appleton. The Manifesto Club: History is still young.
http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/article/42/

Marcel Berlins. Our liberties need more than a bill of rights.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/mar/02/convention-on-modern-liberty-constitution

Tim Black. After the convention, what next for liberty?
http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/article/6312

Ken Livingstone et al Podcast: “Can we save the planet and keep our freedoms?”
http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/takingliberties/reviews/090114green.html

Speaker(s):	Josie Appleton | talks | www Patrick Hayes | talks | www
Date and Time:	8 March 2009 at 3:30 pm
Duration:	2 hours
Venue:	The Ship 12 Gate Street Holborn London WC2A 3HP Show map
Organised by:	Institute of Ideas See other talks organised by Institute of Ideas...
Tickets:	Free, but RSVP required
Available from:	RSVP to: currentaffairs@instituteofideas.com
Additional Information:	Join the Institute of Ideas: http://www.instituteofideas.com

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