Originally uploaded by dr-nick

They seemed to be well received...

It's been ages since I've blogged, and I should probably write something about how we had a lovely Christmas and New Year etc, but we've found ourselves busier than ever! Jessica is both delightful ("Daddy, you're genius") and a handful ("Mummy, sshhhh!"). I will pick some new pics to post soon.

However, I'm writing this as I've read today on BoingBoing about a poorly-drafted piece of legislation currently passing through the Commons. It's mostly innocuous, sensibly closing loopholes in the justice system and suchlike. There are some elements of the Bill which are more contentious, like permitting death inquests behind closed doors in cases of national security etc (although these at least now offer the potential for judicial review). What worries me though is a set of clauses which potentially exempt Government Ministers from the Data Protection Act (DPA).

Yes, the Government which lost 25m families' personal data (including mine) wants to permit barely limited distribution of your personal data from anywhere in the world for any purposes which "secure a relevant policy objective".

In a week where the Government has sensibly backed down on transparency over MPs' expenses and the Freedom of Information Act, and where Obama has pledged a new era of openness in the US, the UK Government is trying to create a get-out clause for privacy.

I think this is crazy, and I've written to my MP to ask that Parliament give this Bill proper scrutiny to make sure that no British government can bugger around with my data without proper oversight. If you care about privacy, identity fraud, or George Orwell, you should write to your MP too. If you've not done so before, consider it seriously - they're elected to represent you.

If you think I'm going off on one, please take a moment to find out more about this Bill from the No2ID campaign or the news media. This is what I wrote to James Plaskitt, my MP:

I have read in the media recently about the Coroners and Justice Bill currently before Parliament, which introduces many positive measures, for instance on sentencing and protecting witnesses. However, one provision has been drafted in such a way that it could be open to abuse by future governments. This clause deserves close and proper scrutiny by Parliament.

Part 8, clauses 152-154 provides for Ministers in any government department to be able to make an 'information-sharing order' which permits data or information about affected people to be excluded from the Data Protection Act (DPA). The clauses in this Bill are drafted to permit exclusions from the DPA "to secure a relevant policy objective" (50A 4a). By statutory instrument, they would grant permission for any minister of this or a future government to obtain and use any data or information gathered anywhere, for any purpose. They may also "modify any enactment" (50B 1h) and provide for the creation of offences punishable by imprisonment or fine (50B 2).

Exemptions already exist in the DPA for reasons of national security, prevention or detection of crime and tax evasion, and other appropriate and sensible reasons. The DPA was enacted to ensure that personal information is processed in accordance with principles of (among others) fairness and relevance. In a week when the Government has recognised the democratic imperative of transparency and openness in the matter of Parliamentary expenses, I hope you will agree that these clauses in particular should be carefully reviewed in similar vein.

We've just had a lovely weekend. Yesterday, we went to to the Birmingham Christmas Market on the train with Angie and Dave. It was cold (although not as cold as last year), and on arrival we warmed up with a coffee at Cafe Rouge, before meeting up with Rob and Hannah, and their friends James, Rachael and son Peter for a spot of Glühwein and Weißwurst.

Suitably fortified, we headed across to Symphony Hall for a free family concert by the British Police Symphony Orchestra. Great fun, with a very engaging conductor. Jess loved it - who am I kidding - we all enjoyed it.

By the time it finished at about 4pm, Jess was getting very tired (having been up since 6am), so we headed back to New Street to pick up the train back to Hampton in Arden where we'd parked the car. Then back home for pizza and Strictly.

Today has been a quiet day in with a nice Sunday lunch, and minimal activity. Jess has managed to continue her week-long track record of directing bowel movements in her potty rather than pants, so we feel like perhaps we've turned a corner (about time!)

I was just doing some Christmas shopping online when I noticed that the amazon.co.uk MP3 store has opened today. DRM-free albums from just £3 including major label releases? Boggle!

Must... spend... money...

Right, here are some of those photos taken in the past couple of months. First, Ryton Woods:

Coombe Abbey Country Park:

Hatton Country World:

Wellington Country Park:

Warwick Castle:

Southwold:

National Sea Life Centre:

And at home: