Dear Mr Rob Wilson
Thank you for your letter of 12 April.
I was gladdened to hear that you found the manner in which the Digital Economy Bill was passed ‘distasteful’. I wholeheartedly agree.
In your previous correspondence you explained that even if:
‘every Conservative and Liberal Democrat MP voted against the Bill, it still would have passed if every Labour MP had turned up to vote’
In and of itself, this is a factual statement. Taken in the context of your explaining why you did not even bother to turn up to the vote however, it takes on a rather disturbing implication.
If this is a valid position to take, (and I would strongly suggest that it is not), then it would follow from this that any non Labour MP voting on any bill for the last five years has not been the exercise of democracy, but merely an empty façade.
As the opposition party, it was your duty to oppose bills that are badly thought out or badly written. I would hold (and you have given me every indication that you agree) that the Digital Economy Bill was both of these things. Being in opposition to a government with a majority does not absolve you of your democratic responsibilities.
In your letter you went on to say that:
‘My party has pledged that, if we are elected to Government on May 6th this year, we will revisit the Bill and look at alternative options for a balanced solution as part of a broader update of copyright’
This is a start, but not nearly enough.
You are standing for re-election and asking for my vote. In order for me to consider this, given what has happened with regards to this bill in the last few months, I would ask you to personally pledge the following if elected, whether to Government or opposition:
To take all actions within your power, including but not limited to:
- Speaking in the House of Commons
- Voting there accordingly
- Attempting to raise the priority of the issue within your own party
in order to accomplish the following:
- Removing all reference to disconnection from the internet as a possible penalty.
- Ensure that before any action can be taken, infringement must be proven beyond all reasonable doubt.
Regards
David Miller