One law for . . .

The Freedom of Information Act was supposed to bring transparency. It was supposed to enlighten us. The ideals of free information, open government - and no hiding behind "official secrets" were supposed to give us all the knowledge that we were not being spied on by bureaucrats, big business and any other snoopers who may have an interest in our personal lives. It applies to anyone in the land. Anyone can apply to see records, data, statistics, information which may affect them.
Except now, it seems, what our MPs are doing and saying will be exempted from the Act. They have voted to exempt themselves from the Act on the grounds of confidentiality. The bill allowing this has already been thrown out once but they had another go and passed it in an almost empty house which only just had enough members present to mount a quorum. It was a Friday when there are few members in the House of Commons because most are on their way back to their constituencies for the weekend. Hopefully the Lords will block the Bill but maybe not.
If MPs get the right to exemption from the Freedom of Information Act how soon before others claim that same right? Doctors, clergymen, government departments . . .
How long before Joe Bloggs , the local postman, applies for exemption on the grounds that he knows everybody's busines in his area because he steams open all the letters before he delivers them and he doesn't want his wife to know he is carrying on illicit affairs with half-a-dozen sex-starved housewives on his round?
Nuff said . . .