“[Government's] obligation must be to serve the people, not rule over them. We have to insist on this principle”
Tony Benn talks in today’s Guardian about why he supports that publication’s new website, Liberty Central and its support for the Convention on Modern Liberty (an event Melissa and I will be attending):
“Of course we need good government. Of course we need it to have policies that deliver greater social justice and equality. But the more influential government becomes the more it is essential that it respects our liberties. Its obligation must be to serve the people, not rule over them. We have to insist on this principle. It is not a matter of left or right, Tory or Labour.
In fact it is essential to defend liberty to the hilt especially if, like me, you want a government that can protect the weak and vulnerable. The more government has influence over economic and social policy, the more democratic, open, accountable and respectful of our liberties it needs to be. Otherwise, if it is not based on the wishes of a free people, the rich and powerful corporations will take advantage of any lack of democracy”.
Liberty is Crucial to Democracy
UPDATE: Sadly, it sound like these guys didn’t get the memo.