Top news today: FoI, Europe, Prince Charles, Scottish independence
Author: Zoe Stavri
Published on Sep 19, 2012
In the news today, the Scottish Information Commissioner has released an annual report warning of erosion of FoI rights, large EU countries are calling for new foreign and defence policy, a poll reveals voters’ economic fears about Scottish independence and an aide has expressed concerns about Prince Charles’s memos being made public.
COMMISSIONER WARNS OF FREEDOM OF INFORMATION RIGHTS “EROSION”- The Scottish Information Commissioner has warned of erosion of the right to freedom of information in her first annual report. How much information should be available under FoI?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19639956
http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/secrecy-in-scottish-government-deepening-under-freedom-of-information-warns-watchdog-1-2533778
http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/opinion/comment/leaders-foi-is-our-right-not-a-political-inconvenience-1-2534236
EU HEAVYWEIGHTS CALL FOR RADICAL FOREIGN AND DEFENCE POLICY- Five out of the six biggest EU countries (excluding the UK) have called for new policies including a pan-European foreign ministry, a single market for EU defence industries, majority voting on common foreign policies and a possible European army. What would be the effects of these new powers?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/sep/18/eu-foreign-defence-policy-overhaul
VOTERS FEAR ECONOMIC IMPACT OF INDEPENDENCE- A poll reveals Scottish voters are doubt Scottish independence would raise living standards and strengthen the economy. This is the main reason Scots do not support independence. How much will this impact on the referendum?
http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/voters-fear-economic-impact-of-independence.18889142
NEUTRALITY OF PRINCE OF WALES MIGHT BE QUESTIONED IF “BLACK SPIDER” MEMOS MADE PUBLIC, FORMER AIDE WARNS- Prince Charles’s former private secretary believes the memos from the prince to ministers should be kept secret and he will stop this practice when he is crowned.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9551222/Neutrality-of-Prince-of-Wales-might-be-questioned-if-black-spider-memos-made-public-former-aide-warns.html
Our view: http://unlockdemocracy.org.uk/blog/entry/prince-charles-must-be-as-accountable-as-everyone-else