Like the Chancellor, today’s links have seen better days…

Data dump

Yesterday the government proved, yet again, its admirable commitment to the Freedom of Information Act, when it released the private (still?) data of some 25 million UK citizens into the public domain. MPs “gasped” as Darling explained: ”Two password protected discs containing a full copy of HMRC’s entire data in relation to the payment of child benefit was sent to the NAO, by HMRC’s internal post system operated by the courier TNT.

The package was not recorded or registered. It appears the data has failed to reach the addressee in the NAO.”

It’s certainly a statement that caught the attention of The Whisky Priest, who was also, “astonished that it took 10 days for the Chancellor to make a public statement about the fiasco, and three weeks for him to even be told.” This humble writer, a father of two under 3s, is – possibly- caught up in this fiasco, as is theyorkshergob, who is “rather glad it’s Darling that’s being the patsy for this, as I reserve a special level of hatred for him after the complete arse he made of transport when he was running that.” Also joining us is Liberal Legend, who fumes: “The personal security of my daughter has also been compromised which I also find totally unacceptable.” Too true. The Legend continues: “In my view, identity is a property right that people should assign. It is not the property of the State and compulsion to provide it is an unacceptable form of nationalisation that must be resisted.”

It’s a great week to be shadow chancellor, and baby-faced George Osborne doesn’t need to be asked twice to turn the knife, asking if Alistair Darling is “up to the job?” Martin Whelton (Blogging4Merton), however, calls for calm and defends Darling’s unenviable position: “he can’t be held responsible for every error on operational matters. Clearly issues of concern have to exist with the running of Revenue and Customs and the resignation of the Chairman Paul Gray is a step in the right direction.” It’s those pesky civil servants again!

All this ineptitude and flagrant breaching of protocols means that the much-maligned ID-Card legislation is coming under yet more scrutiny. Bernard Salmon (The Sound of Gunfire) asks, “Why the hell should we trust the state to keep data about every aspect of our lives secure, if they can’t do it for those claiming child benefit?” A good question, and one Rob Knight (Liberal Review) knows the answer to: “It is now clear that nobody, absolutely nobody, for any reason whatsoever, can continue to support the idea of ID cards and the accompanying database any longer, given the very clear risks demonstrated.” Tory blogger, Mr. Eugenides is not so confident that ID Cards are dead and thinks the government will plough on with the legislation. Fellow conservative, Bel is thinking, is “speechless”, but continues for another three paragraphs, nonetheless.

On top of yesterday’s Northern Rock stories, Alan Beddow declares: “Its been a calamitous week for the British Public.” But that doesn’t mean political points can’t be won. Beddow adds, “Perhaps only Nick Clegg can save us from this calamity.” Seamless, Alan. Absolutely seamless.

Finally, Dave Cole summarises his own thoughts on the subject (whole post recommended): “As I said at the beginning, this is bad. With a bit of luck and a following wind, this may not be a disastrous, but it is possible that the consequences will be profound and long-lasting; an awful lot of data may end up in the wrong hands.” But wouldn’t that be disastrous, Dave?

Elsewhere..
Birmingham University Labour Students – Dave’ll do…what exactly?

Liberal Polemic – Newsnight: Head-to-head with Clegg and Huhne

Zebra-Mbizi – Another page turns. [re. Ian Smith's death]

Mark Pack (LibDem Voice)- Conservative candidate calls Lib Dem’s death “useful”

Antony Hook – Poverty is a Liberal issue

Earthpal – Abandoned Children Dehumanised in EU Nation

About the author
Aaron Murin-Heath is a regular contributor. He is a writer based in Newark-on-Trent and Tallinn, Estonia. He is both socially and economically liberal. Aaron blogs at tygerland.net.
· Other posts by Aaron Murin-Heath

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