Axis Of Authoritarianism

Reading List has been pointed in the direction of an interesting analysis of MPs.

PublicWhip and TheyWorkForYou collated data from parliamentary votes on behalf of LibDem Voice to rank MPs according to how authoritarian they are.

They used 10 areas as criteria:

1. ID Cards
2. Control Orders
3. Freedom of Information Exemptions (MPs Expenses)
4. Extradition Act 2003
5. DNA Database
6. Abolition of Parliament Bill
7. 90 Days Detention
8. Trial Without Jury
9. Freedom of Speech
10. Intervention in Coroner's Inquests

and used the information to compile a list of all 646 MPs.

Berkshire's MPs rank as follows (score 100 - most authoritarian; score 0 - least authoritarian):

1= Martin Salter (Reading West) - 100
259= Fiona MacTaggart (Slough) - 73
418= Rob Wilson (Reading East) - 9
542= Adam Afriyie (Windsor) - 3
542= Richard Benyon (Newbury) - 3
542= Andrew MacKay (Bracknell) - 3
542= Theresa May (Maidenhead) - 3
542= John Redwood (Wokingham) - 3

The usual caveats apply about taking this list at face value, as party tactics always play a part in each vote, but it nevertheless provides a good insight into what each individual and group actually stands for.

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