Our fundamental civil liberties have been eroded over the last few governments, a situation that doesn't seem to be changing. The reality of coalition Britain is kettling, pre-emptive arrests, the suppression of peaceful protest and moves toward greater censorship.

The surveillance state is threatening to become the norm. Whilst Britain bristles with CCTV cameras (the latest estimate is one for every 32 people in the country) they fail to fulfil their stated aim of crime prevention. The same local councils that are now laying off staff have ploughed millions into expansive CCTV networks.

Individuals are being targeted in an extraordinary number of ways. Paul Chambers was hauled through the courts for making a joke on Twitter. Richard O'Dwyer faces extradition to the US just for making a website with links on it. Vulnerable people like Anne Muir have been singled out by the entertainment industry for disproportionate and questionable criminal prosecutions.

It's time to say stop.

All too often the catch all term of "national security" has been used to justify limiting the rights that we have and continue to fight for. Counter terrorism efforts are being used to excuse excessive government power the likes of which we didn't see even at the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The current government 'Prevent' counter-terrorism strategy could require your doctor to assess whether you are a risk to the state and require your lecturer to report whether you are likely to become involved in terrorism.

The government has made it clear that it believes "Internet filtering across the public estate is essential." We believe it would be destroying our freedoms, not protecting them.

It's time to take a stand against these encroachments and make an effort to roll back the excessive legislation imposed in the last decade. It's something the coalition promised, but have so far failed to deliver on; it's something that was used to gain support in an election but is being diluted now that they are in power.

Pirate Party Pledges

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Terms and Conditions

• To stand up for the privacy of individuals.
• To end trivial stop and search, and targeted surveillance. We will review the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIPA) Act 2000.
• To safeguard citizens' data. We will strengthen data protection laws so that companies give consumers clear information about their rights and apply a reasonable level of security.
• To end "Snooping Britain". We will introduce laws on the acceptable use of CCTV.
• To protect individuals. We want clearer guidelines on the use of DNA records by authorities. Samples must be destroyed if the individual is acquitted.