Vocal Voices

In the novel 1984, the hero Winston Smith meets a man in prison called Parsons.
Parsons has been turned into the authorities for committing Thoughtcrime by his own children, who are members of the Junior Spies.

Now in 2021, the Government has a plan for a Covert Intelligence bill, currently going through the Lords, that will enable 16 and 17 year old children to be used as spies against their own parents.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... rents.html

Police and the security services are among those who will be allowed to use under-18s as covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) under 'exceptional circumstances' according to official documents.
But as well as police, MI5, MI6 and the National Crime Agency, the Gambling Commission, county and district councils, the Environment Agency and the Food Standards Agency will also be able to use child spies.

All this stuff about "only in exceptional circumstances" means zero to me. If the power is there, it will be used and abused.

So, 1984 really is a-comin'.

cromwell wrote:So, 1984 really is a-comin'.

Er, it's been with us since about, what, 1984..... and we mugs have let it happen: see my post on the other thread.

Forget the Winston and Julia ending.... we will all end up hating each other.

CHIS has been with us forever, it's how crims grass each other up. Lowering the age or widening the scope is no problem for the authorities who want a result. It is already part of the system. "You tell us what we want to hear and we will give you an easy time". Ask any probation officer or social worker....