…or, possibly, of Nick Clegg
Back in 2009 a TV drama was broadcast called The Execution of Gary Glitter:
The Execution of Gary Glitter is a ninety-minute television drama, produced by Juniper Communications Limited and broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK, which follows an imaginary trial and execution by hanging of former glam rock singer Gary Glitter, who has been convicted for possession of child pornography and rape of minors, for “offences against children”. The programme was written, produced, and directed by Rob Coldstream, and was broadcast on 9 November 2009. Though intended to open debate on hanging and capital punishment in the UK, the programme was poorly received and the choice of celebrity accused led to a complaint being registered with Ofcom by Glitter (which was later dismissed.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Execution_of_Gary_Glitter
I don’t think I actually bothered to watch it — I lack the attention span for television — but I did take note because I saw it as resonating with an aspect of British culture which I detest: there is something about some Britons which calls for unjust punishment of others, without reference to their humanity, and (also bad) without consideration of self-interest, all in the name of spectacle and supposed dissuasion.
Historically aspects of this phenomenon are well-known and well-observed, but it is a tragic way for a liberal society to behave, and this phenomenon is significant enough that some consideration was given to whether the Brexit referendum would essentially act as a proxy referendum upon reintroduction of the death penalty:
The British Election Study’s internet panel survey of 2015-16 asked a sample of over 24,000 individuals about their views on [the death penalty] and whether they would vote to leave the EU. The graph below, restricted to White British respondents, shows almost no statistically significant difference in EU vote intention between rich and poor. By contrast, the probability of voting Brexit rises from around 20% for those most opposed to the death penalty to 70% for those most in favour. Wealthy people who back capital punishment back Brexit. Poor folk who oppose the death penalty support Remain.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-36803544
And so today, I am doing household chores and spring-cleaning the attic, and listening to BBC Radio 6 Music for the news headlines, and there are various vox-pops on the abysmal Online Safety Bill along the lines of: (to paraphrase)
WELL YES, CLEARLY THERE IS NO REASON WHY INTERNET PLATFORMS WOULD BOTHER TO TAKE CHILD SAFETY SERIOUSLY SO OF COURSE WE NEED A LAW SO THAT WE CAN THROW ACTUAL CORPORATE EXECUTIVES IN JAIL IN THE INSTANCE THAT A CHILD COMES TO HARM ON THE INTERNET
for example: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/social-media-bosses-prison-child-safety-b2261461.html
Others like Heather have written extensively about this matter, and I have my own catalogue of links too — see footer — plus I need to get back into the loft to continue the clearout, but really this is immensely worrying. I am hoping this (“there is no reason”) is just bombast, but even bombast can catch fire if there’s enough tinder and wind coming from Westminster and Fleet Street.
Because beyond fines and jail time there’s only really one more escalation which the bombastic outdoers can call for.
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