THE CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION: A PARTICIPATORY CHALLENGE TO ELITIST BRITISH GOVERNMENT

Abstract

The proponents of freedom of information have, since the 1970s, sponsored successive Private Members bills seeking to liberalize Section Two of the Official Secrets Act. Until recently they have had no success. Indeed, the latest Official Secrets Act, which replaces Section Two, represents, in large part, further government determination to control information. Yet some limited success has recently been achieved, for example, in the areas of local government, personal files and environmental safety. This article seeks to explain both the successes and failures of the Campaign for Freedom of Information, and assess prospects for the future. First, the durability of official secrecy is considered, through demonstrating its consistency with governmental and representational principles upon which British government stands. Those underlying freedom of information on the other hand, are in conflict with the British political tradition. The progress of certain ‘limited bills furthered by the campaign is then followed. By distinguishing between qualitatively different aspects of freedom of information and British government, the price extracted by government for legislative success can be seen to demonstrate that ‘freedom of information’ is compatible with ‘low politics’, but ‘open government’ conflicts fundamentally with the ‘high politics’ concerns of British government.