Freedom under the law
Ask the Prime Minister about this! As he says:
"Winston Churchill identified what he saw as the special genius of the English-speaking peoples.
For my part I think we must be careful to avoid any such conceit or complacency that English-speakers are especially blessed; but it is certainly true that there is a series of interconnected ideas that have been highly successful, and that I certainly believe in.
They are democracy, the rule of law, habeas corpus, an independent judiciary, the absolute freedom to make fun of politicians, and above all the freedom to live your life as you please provided you do not harm the interests of others.
And it is to defend and expand that ideal - of freedom under the law - that Britain and Australia work hand in hand; because we know that ideal is not really the property or copyright of the English-speaking peoples - but something that belongs or can belong to all humanity."
Boris Johnson - The 2017 Lowy Lecture [www.lowyinstitute.org]
On 8th Sept 2020 Brandon Lewis The Northern Ireland secretary in the government of Boris Johnson replied in answer to a question in the House of Commons : "Yes. This {proposed legislation by the UK government} does break international law in a very specific and limited way."
So one of the list of the genius of the English-speaking peoples obviously no longer applies in that law no longer rules. The freedom to live one's life as one pleases is also looking shaky in the face of Covid-19.
Can we guess which of our special gifts will go next?
Democracy? {throwing 21 MPs out of Conservative party and thus their jobs for voting with their conscience}
habeas corpus?
an independent judiciary? {Enemies of the people - Daily Mail}
Or the absolute freedom to make fun of politicians? {reconsidering licence fee of left-wing BBC}
Habeas Corpus is the oldest of the list and looks like it will be the last 'special genius' standing. But with this Prime Minister, who can say?
[Disclaimer - This article does not make fun of BJ or any other politician]