Cllr Elgood

The Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party have announced that they will not support the Digital Economy Bill as it is drafted because there is "not enough time for MPs to examine it in detail".

The Bill is expected to be become part of "wash-up" when outstanding legislation becomes the subject of back-room deals between the main two parties, the Conservatives and Labour.

Although the Digital Economy Bill has gone through the Lords before its passage through the Commons is being severely truncated. It will receive a second reading before MPs on April 6 — the day on which the general election is expected to be announced — and it is unlikely to enter into committee stage before its brief third reading, just before parliament dissolves.

Hove Lib Dem Candidate Paul Elgood, one of 30 candidates to recently write to the Lib Dem party leadership requesting opposition to the Bill by the party, said:
"I have deep reservations over the Bill, which will increase control over the internet.  To me this really is a question of free speech. The Bill has generated a lot of controversy for its proposals to do with copyright and illegal filesharing."

For more information about the Liberal Democrats view:
www.brighton-hovelibdems.org.uk