gistfile1.txt

Stephen,

I'm writing with reference to the Data Retention and Investigation
Powers Bill that your government are rushing through parliament. I
appreciate this bill is not the controversial "Snoopers Charter" but I
really must object to any bill which impinges on my civil liberties
and privacy being sneaked through parliament before the summer break.

It's vital that legislation in such key areas are properly debated. I
do not accept the argument the bill will only restore existing powers.
These powers have been ruled against by the European Court of Justice.
This alone should be a cause for debate. Indeed, they rejected the
powers on the 8th April. There has been plenty of opportunity to
properly discuss these powers in parliament since then. If they are so
important, they should have been the priority rather than try to
sneaking them in under the public's nose.

If the civil liberties argument doesn't convince you, and it should as
a Liberal Democrat, as an Internet professional I feel you must
consider how much storing this extra data will cost ISPs. Costs which
will be passed onto consumers.

I call on you to vote against this bill. Your record on key values
such as liberty and privacy will be my major consideration when
deciding if I should again vote for you in next year's General
Election.

Thanks,

Andy