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| Magna Carta commemorations | Magna Carta commemorations |
| (7 months later) | |
| 2.35pm BST | 2.35pm BST |
| 14:35 | 14:35 |
| Labour have joined the attacks on Cameron’s speech. | Labour have joined the attacks on Cameron’s speech. |
| The shadow justice secretary, Lord Falconer, said: “If the prime minister was serious about safeguarding the legacy of Magna Carta, he wouldn’t be using its anniversary to attack fundamental rights. | The shadow justice secretary, Lord Falconer, said: “If the prime minister was serious about safeguarding the legacy of Magna Carta, he wouldn’t be using its anniversary to attack fundamental rights. |
| “David Cameron should drop any plans to repeal the Human Rights Act and to withdraw from the European convention on human rights immediately.” | “David Cameron should drop any plans to repeal the Human Rights Act and to withdraw from the European convention on human rights immediately.” |
| Labour leadership contender and shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper accused Cameron of trying to “hijack” the ceremony. She said: | Labour leadership contender and shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper accused Cameron of trying to “hijack” the ceremony. She said: |
| “The prime minister is trying to hijack this important celebration of the Magna Carta to push his ill-thought through plans for abolishing the Human Rights Act. It demeans his office. | “The prime minister is trying to hijack this important celebration of the Magna Carta to push his ill-thought through plans for abolishing the Human Rights Act. It demeans his office. |
| “The Magna Carta is rightly seen by people across the world as the historic foundation of our democratic rights. Some of it remains in legislation, including the right to justice and a fair trial. It’s a wonderful thing and it’s right that we mark its 800th anniversary. | “The Magna Carta is rightly seen by people across the world as the historic foundation of our democratic rights. Some of it remains in legislation, including the right to justice and a fair trial. It’s a wonderful thing and it’s right that we mark its 800th anniversary. |
| “The British authored European Convention on Human Rights built on the principles from the Magna Carta and was drawn up in the aftermath of the horrors of the second world war so we would never again stand for abuse of our common humanity on European soil. The Prime Minister should be proud of spreading our historic human rights tradition across Europe and the world, rather than trying to rip it up.” | “The British authored European Convention on Human Rights built on the principles from the Magna Carta and was drawn up in the aftermath of the horrors of the second world war so we would never again stand for abuse of our common humanity on European soil. The Prime Minister should be proud of spreading our historic human rights tradition across Europe and the world, rather than trying to rip it up.” |
| 2.26pm BST | 2.26pm BST |
| 14:26 | 14:26 |
| As many have pointed out, three years ago David Cameron couldn’t remember what Magna Carta was about. | As many have pointed out, three years ago David Cameron couldn’t remember what Magna Carta was about. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.26pm BST | at 2.26pm BST |
| 12.42pm BST | 12.42pm BST |
| 12:42 | 12:42 |
| As the formal ceremony is now we’re going to bring this blog to a close. Here’s a summary of the key developments. | As the formal ceremony is now we’re going to bring this blog to a close. Here’s a summary of the key developments. |
| 12.23pm BST | 12.23pm BST |
| 12:23 | 12:23 |
| The campaign group Occupy Democracy, which was banned from running democracy workshops for the public at Runnymede to mark the Magna Carta anniversary, has denounced the hypocrisy of today’s official celebrations. | The campaign group Occupy Democracy, which was banned from running democracy workshops for the public at Runnymede to mark the Magna Carta anniversary, has denounced the hypocrisy of today’s official celebrations. |
| It is calling for a citizen-led constitutional convention. Julie Timbrell of New Putney Debates, who organised the Festival For Democracy in collaboration with the Runnymede Eco-Village and Occupy Democracy said: | It is calling for a citizen-led constitutional convention. Julie Timbrell of New Putney Debates, who organised the Festival For Democracy in collaboration with the Runnymede Eco-Village and Occupy Democracy said: |
| “The forces of the Crown have been turning away democracy speakers and members of the public from our festival in the forest next to where the official Magna Carta celebrations have been taking place. They are denying us our hard won right of freedom of association and over-reaching their powers by misapplication of anti-social behaviour legislation. | “The forces of the Crown have been turning away democracy speakers and members of the public from our festival in the forest next to where the official Magna Carta celebrations have been taking place. They are denying us our hard won right of freedom of association and over-reaching their powers by misapplication of anti-social behaviour legislation. |
| “Magna Carta was won through protest by the Barons and common people against arbitrary abuse by the King. We represent the common people, who like Robin Hood, fought against cruel and unusual punishments in the forest, the right to sustain themselves in the common realm and for the fair application of justice. | “Magna Carta was won through protest by the Barons and common people against arbitrary abuse by the King. We represent the common people, who like Robin Hood, fought against cruel and unusual punishments in the forest, the right to sustain themselves in the common realm and for the fair application of justice. |
| “It appears only the barons on the invite of the Queen have the right to celebrate the Magna Carta.” | “It appears only the barons on the invite of the Queen have the right to celebrate the Magna Carta.” |
| 12.05pm BST | 12.05pm BST |
| 12:05 | 12:05 |
| Here’s cartoonist Martin Rowson’s view on the Cameron’s Magna Carta cant: | Here’s cartoonist Martin Rowson’s view on the Cameron’s Magna Carta cant: |
| Martin Rowson on the Tory government and Magna Carta http://t.co/u1zpMb6o1i pic.twitter.com/xLgw0rCLl1 | Martin Rowson on the Tory government and Magna Carta http://t.co/u1zpMb6o1i pic.twitter.com/xLgw0rCLl1 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.07pm BST | at 12.07pm BST |
| 12.00pm BST | 12.00pm BST |
| 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Number 10 has published the full text of David Cameron’s Magna Carta speech. Here it is with the veiled reference to the European Human Rights act highlighted in bold: | Number 10 has published the full text of David Cameron’s Magna Carta speech. Here it is with the veiled reference to the European Human Rights act highlighted in bold: |
| Eight hundred years ago, on this day, King John put his seal to a document that would change the world. | Eight hundred years ago, on this day, King John put his seal to a document that would change the world. |
| We talk about the ‘law of the land’ and this is the very land where that law – and the rights that flow from it – took root. | We talk about the ‘law of the land’ and this is the very land where that law – and the rights that flow from it – took root. |
| The limits of executive power, guaranteed access to justice, the belief that there should be something called the rule of law, that there shouldn’t be imprisonment without trial, Magna Carta introduced the idea that we should write these things down and live by them. | The limits of executive power, guaranteed access to justice, the belief that there should be something called the rule of law, that there shouldn’t be imprisonment without trial, Magna Carta introduced the idea that we should write these things down and live by them. |
| That might sound like a small thing to us today. But back then it was revolutionary, altering forever the balance of power between the governed and the government. | That might sound like a small thing to us today. But back then it was revolutionary, altering forever the balance of power between the governed and the government. |
| What happened in these meadows 8 centuries ago is as relevant today as it was then. And that relevance extends far beyond Britain. | What happened in these meadows 8 centuries ago is as relevant today as it was then. And that relevance extends far beyond Britain. |
| All over the world, people are still struggling to live by the rule of law and to see their governments subject to that law. | All over the world, people are still struggling to live by the rule of law and to see their governments subject to that law. |
| The countries that have these things tend to be the long term successes. Those who don’t tend to be the long term failures. | The countries that have these things tend to be the long term successes. Those who don’t tend to be the long term failures. |
| And what is taken for granted here in Britain, what is sewn into the fabric of our nation, so deep we barely even question it is what others are crying out for, hoping for, praying for. | And what is taken for granted here in Britain, what is sewn into the fabric of our nation, so deep we barely even question it is what others are crying out for, hoping for, praying for. |
| Why do people set such store by Magna Carta? Because they look to history. | Why do people set such store by Magna Carta? Because they look to history. |
| They see how the great charter shaped the world for the best part of a millennium helping to promote arguments for justice and freedom. | They see how the great charter shaped the world for the best part of a millennium helping to promote arguments for justice and freedom. |
| Did those barons know, I wonder, how its clauses would echo through the ages? | Did those barons know, I wonder, how its clauses would echo through the ages? |
| Inspiring those who fought in the English Civil War, giving fuel to the Chartists, succour to the Suffragettes and ammunition to anyone challenging injustice or checking arbitrary power. | Inspiring those who fought in the English Civil War, giving fuel to the Chartists, succour to the Suffragettes and ammunition to anyone challenging injustice or checking arbitrary power. |
| And did they know that the seeds sown here would grow throughout the world? | And did they know that the seeds sown here would grow throughout the world? |
| Think of America – of the founding charters and codes of the earliest states and you will see Magna Carta being referenced, alluded to, even copied. | Think of America – of the founding charters and codes of the earliest states and you will see Magna Carta being referenced, alluded to, even copied. |
| Think of India, of Gandhi, when he brought more rights to his people overseas. With his Indian Relief Act he declared he had something special: the “Magna Carta of our liberty in this land”. | Think of India, of Gandhi, when he brought more rights to his people overseas. With his Indian Relief Act he declared he had something special: the “Magna Carta of our liberty in this land”. |
| Think of South Africa – of that courtroom in Rivonia. As Nelson Mandela stood in the dock, looking at a lifetime in prison, it was Magna Carta that he cited. | Think of South Africa – of that courtroom in Rivonia. As Nelson Mandela stood in the dock, looking at a lifetime in prison, it was Magna Carta that he cited. |
| For him, that document was a crucial part of the British freedoms he so admired, that he so wanted for his own people, an ideal for which he was prepared to die. | For him, that document was a crucial part of the British freedoms he so admired, that he so wanted for his own people, an ideal for which he was prepared to die. |
| Magna Carta takes on further relevance today. | Magna Carta takes on further relevance today. |
| For centuries, it has been quoted to help promote human rights and alleviate suffering all around the world. | For centuries, it has been quoted to help promote human rights and alleviate suffering all around the world. |
| But here in Britain, ironically, the place where those ideas were first set out, the good name of ‘human rights’ has sometimes become distorted and devalued. | But here in Britain, ironically, the place where those ideas were first set out, the good name of ‘human rights’ has sometimes become distorted and devalued. |
| It falls to us in this generation to restore the reputation of those rights – and their critical underpinning of our legal system. | It falls to us in this generation to restore the reputation of those rights – and their critical underpinning of our legal system. |
| It is our duty to safeguard the legacy, the idea, the momentous achievement of those barons. | It is our duty to safeguard the legacy, the idea, the momentous achievement of those barons. |
| And there couldn’t be a better time to reaffirm that commitment than on an anniversary like this. | And there couldn’t be a better time to reaffirm that commitment than on an anniversary like this. |
| Magna Carta is something every person in Britain should be proud of. | Magna Carta is something every person in Britain should be proud of. |
| Its remaining copies may be faded, but its principles shine as brightly as ever, in every courtroom and every classroom, from palace to Parliament to parish church. | Its remaining copies may be faded, but its principles shine as brightly as ever, in every courtroom and every classroom, from palace to Parliament to parish church. |
| Liberty, justice, democracy, the rule of law – we hold these things dear, and we should hold them even dearer for the fact that they took shape right here, on the banks of the Thames. | Liberty, justice, democracy, the rule of law – we hold these things dear, and we should hold them even dearer for the fact that they took shape right here, on the banks of the Thames. |
| So on this historic day, let’s pledge to keep those principles alight. | So on this historic day, let’s pledge to keep those principles alight. |
| Let’s keep Magna Carta alive. | Let’s keep Magna Carta alive. |
| Because – as those barons showed, all those years ago – what we do today will shape the world, for many, many years to come. | Because – as those barons showed, all those years ago – what we do today will shape the world, for many, many years to come. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.04pm BST | at 12.04pm BST |
| 11.48am BST | 11.48am BST |
| 11:48 | 11:48 |
| David Cameron’s claim that Magna Carta’s principles still “shine brightly” today was too much for the campaign group Liberty. | David Cameron’s claim that Magna Carta’s principles still “shine brightly” today was too much for the campaign group Liberty. |
| Its director Shami Chakrabarti, accused the prime minister of hypocrisy following his speech. She said: | Its director Shami Chakrabarti, accused the prime minister of hypocrisy following his speech. She said: |
| “The Prime Minister could give a masterclass in bare-faced cheek, using Magna Carta day to denigrate our Human Rights Act. But we will take no lessons in rights and freedoms from a leader who wants to dilute them to the detriment of everyone in the UK and wider watching world.” | “The Prime Minister could give a masterclass in bare-faced cheek, using Magna Carta day to denigrate our Human Rights Act. But we will take no lessons in rights and freedoms from a leader who wants to dilute them to the detriment of everyone in the UK and wider watching world.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.51am BST | at 11.51am BST |
| 11.27am BST | 11.27am BST |
| 11:27 | 11:27 |
| Lynch adds that the fundamental principles of the Magna Carta have “given hopes to those who face oppression. They have given a voice to those yearning for the redress of wrongs.” | Lynch adds that the fundamental principles of the Magna Carta have “given hopes to those who face oppression. They have given a voice to those yearning for the redress of wrongs.” |
| She claims the document still has relevance today in the US as the government tries “promote trust and understanding between law enforcement officers and the communities we serve” – an apparent reference to the anger at the number of police shootings against members of black communities. | She claims the document still has relevance today in the US as the government tries “promote trust and understanding between law enforcement officers and the communities we serve” – an apparent reference to the anger at the number of police shootings against members of black communities. |
| "I am proud, humbled and honoured to stand here today." USA Attorney General Loretta Lynch at #Runnymede @ABAesq #MagnaCarta memorial. | "I am proud, humbled and honoured to stand here today." USA Attorney General Loretta Lynch at #Runnymede @ABAesq #MagnaCarta memorial. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.33am BST | at 11.33am BST |
| 11.17am BST | 11.17am BST |
| 11:17 | 11:17 |
| Next up is US Attorney General Loretta Lynch. She says the Magna Carta was a key signpost on the road to justice. | Next up is US Attorney General Loretta Lynch. She says the Magna Carta was a key signpost on the road to justice. |
| She says Magna Carta serves as bedrock to free societies around the globe. Its influence shaped a US constitution that enshrines the rule of law, due process, and the separation of powers. | She says Magna Carta serves as bedrock to free societies around the globe. Its influence shaped a US constitution that enshrines the rule of law, due process, and the separation of powers. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.21am BST | at 11.21am BST |
| 11.10am BST | 11.10am BST |
| 11:10 | 11:10 |
| Philip Hammond, Britain’s foreign secretary and MP for Runnymede takes the stage. He claims the values of Magna Carta underpin the relationship between the US and Britain. | Philip Hammond, Britain’s foreign secretary and MP for Runnymede takes the stage. He claims the values of Magna Carta underpin the relationship between the US and Britain. |
| 11.07am BST | 11.07am BST |
| 11:07 | 11:07 |
| Church, State and Crown exchange chit chat. | Church, State and Crown exchange chit chat. |