Now I know that there have been a few threads that touched on this topic, but a Forum search only got me 1 hit for Austin Mitchell, soooooo ........
Austin Mitchell MP (Member of Parliament) has put forward an Early Day Motion for other MPs to sign up to, seeking clear information about photographers rights to be circulated within the UK. Please consider contacting your MP and asking them to sign it. You can find and contact your MP by entering your postcode at:
EDM 1155 : PHOTOGRAPHY IN PUBLIC AREAS
11.03.2008 [COLOR=#9C9C9C]Quote:[/COLOR] That this House is concerned to encourage the spread and enjoyment of photography as the most genuine and accessible people's art; deplores the apparent increase in the number of reported incidents in which the police, police community support officers (PCSOs) or wardens attempt to stop street photography and order the deletion of photographs or the confiscation of cards, cameras or film on various specious ground such as claims that some public buildings are strategic or sensitive, that children and adults can only be photographed with their written permission, that photographs of police and PCSOs are illegal, or that photographs may be used by terrorists; points out that photography in public places and streets is not only enjoyable but perfectly legal; regrets all such efforts to stop, discourage or inhibit amateur photographers taking pictures in public places, many of which are in any case festooned with closed circuit television cameras; and urges the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers to agree on a photography code for the information of officers on the ground, setting out the public's right to photograph public places thus allowing photographers to enjoy their hobby without officious interference or unjustified suspicion.
Seems like a no-brainer to me, but just giving this information for those who might want to contact their MP and seek their support.
Good stuff, but I think they should delete the word "amateur" for why shouldn't professionals take photographs in public places without harassment too?
I wrote to my MP at the back end of last week on this subject (and the new police ad campaign.) He's a government minister, so he can't actually sign an EDM, but hopefully he can encourage his cabinet colleagues to tone down the fascism.
Not that I hold out much hope... I'll post the response here if it's anything interesting (which I doubt.)
Incidentally, EDMs pretty well never go on to have any direct effect; they are mainly a way for MPs to effectively hand in a 'petition' to the government. The hope is they at least show the Guvvmint that there is at least a level of support/concern for an issue. Anyway, 74 signatures in the short space of time since it was raised on a 'minority issue' seems pretty respectable to me. (By 'minority issue' I mean something actually important - EDMs of the 'this house believes all our war veterans are jolly splendid chaps' variety - which seem to make up the bulk - obviously garner votes from everyone.)
It also seems to have good cross-party support. Of the 6 original signatories raising the EDM (1 proposer + 5 seconders,) it was 2 Labour, 3 Conservative, and 1 Lib-Dem.
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I've emailed both my MP, with a request that he supports it, and to Austin Mitchell to thank him for his efforts on our behalf.
I emailed my MP last night, but have had no reply so far and his name is still not down as a supporter. He is a Lib-Dem so I would have thought he would support it. I'll post if and when I get a reply.
Photographer's rights in Britain 
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