Media Matters

Neither of these proposed Charters addresses the real issue, which is ownership, itself intimately connected to sovereignty.

The root of this whole business is the question of what to do about the presence of a transnational and anti-British State within this State. No one seems to have thought that the solution might be to kick it out, and then to set up sufficient defences against anything remotely like it in future.

In any case, that is about to be overtaken by events. When The Sun goes down, then the Independent National Directors of The Times and the Sunday Times will have the opportunity to come into their own during, and as a result of, the inevitable, entirely appropriate effort to save those titles.

Something similar will apply, and rightly, to Sky News, which at least bothers to report demonstrations in defence of the English National Health Service, and the welcome willingness of which to speak truths about what are, and what are not, major political forces in this country has significant potential ramifications.

But reading below the line, as the saying goes, I hope that the proponents of the Press's own proposal are very proud indeed of their supporters, who are complete and utter fruitcakes.

Above the line is not much better, with utter contempt for British institutions such as the "medieval" Privy Council, which arguably it is not, and with the use of the single word "America" as if that were an irrefutable argument.

Such is the British Right. If they hate Parliament so much, then why do they all want to be in it, those of them who are not in it already? Consider that one very carefully. It explains a lot. A truly awful lot.

They are enthusiastic supporters of the Lobbying Bill, which would place trade union publications under direct State control. But woe betide that even the mildest expression of the Rule of Law might be extended to themselves. Again, consider that one very carefully. Very, very, very carefully, indeed.