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Liberal Democrats on Law and Order

A traditional topic of contention in the UK, Law and Order remains high on the priority list of all parties. Since 9/11 and the London bombings of 2005, terrorism has remained an important factor for the UK electorate. The detention of terrorists without charge has been keenly debated. Further issues include: the classification of illegal drugs, the use of individuals’ DNA, whether to reform the Human Rights Act, and the proliferation of CCTV cameras across the UK.

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The issues

Liberal Democrats opposes reforming the Human Rights Act

Oppose reforming the HRA but interested in complementing it with a bill of rights

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Liberal Democrats strongly opposes retaining DNA of people who have not been charged and/or convicted of a crime in a national database

Chris Huhne, Mp:"Police forces that prove reluctant even to respond to requests for removal are damaging their own reputation with the public."

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Liberal Democrats strongly opposes detaining those suspected of terrorism for 28 days without charge

Oppose government plans for 42 day detention in the 2008 Counter-Teorrism Bill

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Liberal Democrats opposes developments in surveillance technology, such as the increased number of CCTV cameras

Nick Clegg in 2007 stated “By stealth, this government has given the state unprecedented snooping powers that affect each and every one of us. It is time that these powers were rolled back."

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Nick Clegg and previous leader Ming Campbell have attacked what they call 'surveillance society' - embodied by the increase in CCTV

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Liberal Democrats opposes public elections for all local police chiefs

Chris Huhne,MP: "The last thing British police need is an elected sheriff leading the shootout at the OK Corral. Accountability must come from a broad-based police authority elected to represent all strands of the local community."

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Chris Huhne, MP:"Sir Hugh Orde was right to highlight the dangers of the Conservatives' plans to politicise the control of the police. The last thing British police need is an elected sheriff leading the shootout at the OK Corral."

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Liberal Democrats strongly supports downgrading cannabis from a ‘class B’ to ‘class C’ drug

Strongly supports the declassification of cannabis from 'b' to 'c' with a view to eventual decriminalization of the drug altogether

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