NO2ID London Mayoral Hustings. With Boris Johnson, Brian Paddick, Siân Berry and others. April 8, 2008

Londoners are more watched than anyone on earth. On April 8th privacy and civil liberty campaign NO2ID holds a hustings to ask mayoral candidates where they stand on that shocking fact. Boris Johnson, Brian Paddick and Siân Berry are among the candidates who will appear to answer questions and explain their policies on “the database state.”

Britain was the birthplace of liberty, democracy, and rule of law. London was at the heart of that. Yet in 21st century capital, our familiar freedoms are vanishing under a tide of intrusive government – which includes borough and London-wide schemes.

Once citizens came to the sprawling metropolis to seek anonymity and the right to a life of freedom; but now, in the world’s most heavily surveilled city, Londoners have a hard time keeping themselves to themselves. We live under the watchful eyes of hundreds of thousands of CCTV cameras, have our movements monitored, are subject to more police and immigration checks, and more restrictions on their activities than anywhere in Britain.

What will candidates do about this transformation of our society?

Do they even, maybe, approve?

London’s public has a right to know.


The event is free and open to the public, who are welcome to put their questions to the panel. Journalists and cameras from London’s press are invited to come and raise their own or their readers’ bugbears with the candidates.

Official Website: http://www.no2id.net