Local MPs opposed Digital Economy fix-up

North London MPs showed their

true colours last week as the Digital Economy Bill came before the Commons. Prior

to the debate, MPs across the country had received a deluge of letters, emails

and tweets from concerned constituents. Some were worried about the bill’s proposals

to suspend the internet connections of those accused of sharing copyrighted

material. Others were concerned that that the limited time available for debate

meant the bill would not receive proper consideration, and would in effect be

rubber stamped into law.

Shamefully, these

concerns

were ignored by the majority of MPs. Fewer than half of the 643

eligible members bothered to show up for the vote; and, of those who

did, most chose to follow the party whip rather than their

constituents, enabling the bill to pass by a

majority of 189 to 47.

Happily, it seems

local MPs have their priorities straight. Labour’s Diane Abbott and

Jeremy Corbyn (representing

Hackney North and Islington North respectively) both defied the whip to

vote against the bill, while Lib Dem Lynne Featherstone from

neighbouring Hornsey and Wood Green also turned up to hear the debate on the bill and then opposed it. Only Frank

Dobson (Holborn & St Pancras) let the side down, skipping the

debate then appearing at the end to vote in favour of the bill.

Veteran campaigner Corbyn even rose

during the debate to argue against his own party, warning Siôn Simon, former

minister for creative industries, that the bill risked criminalising popular

forms of creative expression. His words had little effect, but as if to

illustrate his point, his speech subsequently found its way into a Digital

Economy Bill “mash-up” on YouTube. 

What do you think about the passing of the Digital Economy Bill? Let us know below!