In this section
- Section Home

Archive
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008

Blog RSS feed

Latest Local Data Loss Shows Systems' Flaws

Some 741 people who had information on their operations stolen by a car wash worker, will want to know why systems allowed the data to get there in the first place.   Questions include how could one person be allowed to download the information; how could nobody notice; why did that person need the data outside the hospital; and what other loopholes are there to download personal information.  

As patients, we have to trust the authorities that this sort of thing does not happen.  But we all know it does. And every time it does, it is a reminder that the amount of data taken, lost or stolen could have been much greater if the government's ID card system goes ahead or even the NHS super data scheme [NHS Care Records Scheme].  

"PATIENT data, including names and details of operations for 741 Addenbrooke’s patients, was taken from a vehicle by a car wash worker... A member of Addenbrooke’s staff downloaded the information on to a privately-owned, unencrypted memory stick, which was left in a car taken to a car wash" reports the Cambridge News.

Labour Transport U-Turn Leaves Liberals in Lurch

The news that Labour is postponing plans for national road pricing - for at least the next Parliament - leaves the Liberal Democrats as the only party pushing for this extra tax on motorists at the next election.

PR Produces a Crisis for the Liberal Mind

"Liberal" Britain was content in 2004 to see two Greens elected to the European Parliament from the UK . There was a flurry of self-congratulation and predictions for how the voting system, proportional representation, would be better for Britain too as it promotes 'consensus politics'.

Now it is seething about the BNP winning as many seats as the Greens in the 2009 European Parliamentary election.

The BNP is a national socialist party that deserves contempt, as do other parties who rely on hatred for votes: be it a hate based on race, religion, country, or class.  But the BNP won its seats for the same reasons as the Greens: a protest against mainstream politicians combined with an electoral system that rewards division.  PR is not about consensus.  It is about narrow sects promoting their own single-minded agendas.  Unlike mainstream parties, they do not have to compromise with the electorate, or win their arguments within a wider party, but can pursue their own narrow path uncluttered by debates or dissent. 

The BNP is bad for Britain: a shame on our nation. However, the voting system that put them there is worse.

Richard Normington.

Next Page