Britain To Put CCTV Cameras Inside Private Homes

As an ex-Brit, I’m well aware of the authorities’ love of
surveillance and snooping, but even I, a pessimistic cynic, am amazed
by the governments latest plan: to install Orwell’s telescreens in
20,000 homes.

£400 million ($668 million) will be spend on installing and
monitoring CCTV cameras in the homes of private citizens. Why? To make
sure the kids are doing their homework, going to bed early and eating
their vegetables. The scheme has, astonishingly, already been running
in 2,000 family homes. The government’s “children’s secretary” Ed Balls
is behind the plan, which is aimed at problem, antisocial families. The
idea is that, if a child has a more stable home life, he or she will be
less likely to stray into crime and drugs.

It gets worse. The government is also maintaining a private army, incredibly not
called “Thought Police”, which will “be sent round to carry out home
checks,” according to the Sunday Express. And in a scheme which firmly
cements the nation’s reputation as a “nanny state”, the kids and their
families will be forced to sign “behavior contracts” which will “set
out parents’ duties to ensure children behave and do their homework.”

And remember, this is the left-wing government. The Shadow Home
Secretary Chris Grayling, batting for the conservatives, thinks these
plans are “too little, and too late,” implying that even more obtrusive
work needs to be done. Rumors that a new detention center, named Room
101, is being constructed inside the Ministry of Love are unconfirmed.