Kill The Bill Is Immortal

As the campaign against the Criminal Justice Bill enters its 7th week, we can announce that 87 events that we know about have taken place which are presently legal, but will be criminal offences after the Bill comes in. Most of the events have been anti-roads protests and peace camps, but there have also been incredibly diverse groups of people getting involved. There have been protests against the lack of rights and access for disabled people, protests against putting asylum seekers in detention centres, protests against traffic in Oxford, against the World Bank in London, against the Narmada dam at the Indian Embassy, against the closure of an unemployed workers’ centre in Edinburgh, against Nestle in Croydon, and of course against the CJB itself. In Leeds on 19th June a record-breaking game of TWISTER was the highlight of ‘Bill’s Carnival’. Attractions also included frisbee throwing, music and juggling. Keep up the activity.

The following is the Government’s planned timetable for the progress of the CJ Bill through Parliament.

June 16th Committee stage ends

June 30th Report stage (lasts 4 days)

July 18th-19th Third reading

July 25th Returns to Commons (for final vote)

Royal Assent within the week.

Parliament goes on holiday at the beginning of August. This is therefore a tight schedule, but the Government will be prepared to go to some length to stick to it as the Bill is supposedly a flagship.