An Open Letter to Siôn Simon, Pete Wishart, David Lammy, Peter Luff, John Robertson, Stephen Timms
Dear Sirs,
This evening, as the Second Reading of the Digital Economy Bill was heard in the House of Commons, you were watched by a great many people. Many of these people had never watched Parliament in session before. Almost universal was the horror and anger at the affront to the democratic process which was unfolding before our eyes.
This letter is addressed to you because you stated your support for the bill, and helped ensure its passage to the compressed “wash-up” stage of proceedings, despite the wide-ranging, contentious and to many unknown provisions it includes. Some of you expressed your dismay at the contempt shown for the House, the lack of scrutiny which has been afforded, and your deep concerns with respect to certain provisions. Despite this, you pledged your support for the bill, in one case claiming to “do so under duress”.
To the British public who were watching, this was abhorrent.
While some talked of the “powerful ISPs and their digital friends”, note this: those who send you letters — numbered in their tens of thousands — did so principally to demand proper debate in the Commons of a piece of legislation which is poorly-understood, both within and outside of the Palace of Westminster. It is clear that we were right to demand this, given the misunderstandings, misinformation and — in some cases — complete lack of information which abounded. It is a sad indictment of the state of the democratic process when the public, writing to their elected Members of Parliament, many of whom did so with clearly laid out concerns relating specific clauses and paragraphs, are described in such a derisory manner.
The “powerful ISPs” you talk of are anything but, save for some occasional exceptions. The vast majority of ISPs who have raised concerns regarding this bill are small businesses operating on razor-thin margins. It is fair to say that these small ISPs have been almost unanimous in raising their concerns. Please do not mistake agreement with conspiracy.
On more than one occasion, it was stated that “something must be done”; that is, this bill is better than nothing. Repeatedly, illegal file-sharing was cited as a cause requiring the Government to enact legislation at, almost literally, the eleventh hour. Allow me to ask you this: if the losses to the entertainment industry in the UK from illegal file-sharing run into millions of pounds as was claimed in the House, where has this money gone? In this time of global economic downturn, with an election fast approaching which will be won or lost on the economy, surely this question is more important than ever?
The entertainment industry as a whole has seen record revenues. The period from January until October 2009 saw record singles sales within the UK, according to the British Phonographic Institute — so much so that the number of singles sold in that period was nearly three times the number sold for the whole of 2002. The statistics presented to Parliament are a simplistic measure of losses, based upon estimates of file-sharing supplied by the British Phonographic Institute (themselves extrapolated from a survey of a small group of people, and was widely debunked in June 2009). Indeed, the sectors of industry which the referenced report claims could suffer three hundred thousand job losses in the UK employ only marginally more than that to begin with. Is it really the case that legitimate sales will cease altogether, despite rising steadily for the past ten years?
To the dichotomy between “the measures will not be effective” and “the measures are draconian”, the answer is simple: the measures cannot guarantee to be free of serious unintended consequences, nor can they guarantee to not make erroneous accusations, nor do they stand much chance of affecting the habits of the serious, knowledgeable, infringer. This is compounded by — if reports are to be believed — a levy of a fee in order to appeal an accusation. What kind of due process does this claim to be? This is a law which will penalise the poor and the ignorant, and do little to prevent the real problem infringers.
Be under no illusions, however. Those who support the abolition of copyright as it stands and a “free for all” as far as content is concerned do not represent the public in general, nor do they even represent the majority of those who wrote to you. Surely if this were the case, some of you would have taken great pleasure in reading out their letters to the House as justification for action?
All of this touches on a small fraction of a large bill, and there are many aspects which Members rightly have considered, well-researched, views of. Unfortunately, it seems apparent that thanks to collusion between the front benches, their concerns and questions will only be answered after the bill has been passed into law. This is, undoubtedly, wholly unacceptable.
This government, and those who have supported the passage of this bill through wash-up, have displayed a level of contempt for the public which is rarely seen. Tonight, it became widely-known.
We ask one thing of you: if the process by which this bill is being passed into law is so contemptible, take the opportunity when it is presented to abort the process. For all the discussion of scrutiny and review after the fact, bear in mind the looming election. Who will undertake that scrutiny? What guarantee will you have that it will ever happen? Will it come close to the proper Parliamentary oversight that a bill of this magnitude surely requires?
Yours sincerely,
Mo McRoberts (Web developer),
Ian Drysdale (Designer),
Andrew Durdin (Web developer),
Owen Blacker (Advisor, ORG; Head of server-side development at an ad agency),
Lilian Edwards (Professor of Internet Law),
Peter Soden,
Keir Liddle (Research Assistant in Psychology; Editor, the Twenty-First Floor),
Tom Morris (Programmer and student),
Stuart Connolly (Software developer)
Jon Byrne,
John Tote (IT support business owner; musician),
Martin A. Brooks (Director, antibodyMX.net),
Simon Maddox (iPhone developer),
Chris Hunter-Brown (IT professional),
Jason Lower,
Alex Brooks (Student journalist, website owner),
Martyn Haynes (ISP employee),
Gayle Ramage,
Caius Durling (Software developer),
Ian Thomas (Games developer, BAFTA member),
Al Robertson (Writer),
Aegir Hallmundur (Designer and typographer),
Nick Carter (UX Designer),
James Inman (Web developer),
Ian Oxley (Web developer),
Fearghas McKay (Software Development Manager; RIPE EIX-WG Chair),
David McBride (PhD student and Systems programmer),
Abizer Nasir (Independent software developer),
Scott Paterson (Deputy Director of IM&T),
Simon Indelicate (Musician),
Tony Roberts (Writer and independent magazine publisher),
Rosellyne Thompson (Programmer and student),
Neil Morrison (Computing Science student),
Jeremy Atherton (Research scientist; photographer),
Gideon Hallett (IT systems administrator),
James Lethem,
Andi Farr (Web designer),
Steve Woods (Web developer and designer),
Ben O’Steen (Software Engineer, Bodleian Libraries, Oxford),
Christopher Gutteridge (Web manager and Software developer),
Saul Cozens (Web consultant),
Thomas Costick (Digital Creative),
Paul J White (Musician and designer),
James Marwood (Business Consultant with clients in the creative industries),
Richard Andrew Vincent Smith (Student),
Gavin Logan (Web developer),
Thom Sanders (Developer),
Jack Allnutt (Computer Science student),
Dale Lane (IT Professional),
Dr Cole Henley (Web design manager),
Harley Faggetter (Computer networking [CCNA] student),
Francis Barton,
Mike Green (Software Developer; Gnutella Developers Forum (GDF) founding member),
Nick Kewney (Software developer),
Lee Durbin (PhD Researcher),
Gordon Moar,
Iain D Broadfoot (Software Engineer and Musician),
Tim Stevens (Web security architect and musician),
Andy Lloyd (Exhibition Developer and Writer),
Peter Blatchford (Designer and consultant),
Dr Geraint Bevan (Lecturer),
Simon Wolf (Software Engineer),
Derek Hoy (Partner, health software development company),
Zoe Hendrickse (Freelance Programmer),
Deborah O’Hara (Artist and photographer),
Hamish Allan (Software Engineer),
Stuart Ashen (Broadcast entertainer),
Hugh Hancock (Film director and author),
Doug Aitken (Developer),
Edwyn Collins (Musician),
Grace Maxwell (Artist Manager),
AMLN McGreggor (Technologist and campaigner),
Ewan Richardson (Senior software architect),
Alex Smith (Media Consultant),
Marianne Whitfield (Director, publishing company),
Andrew Bold (System administrator and photographer),
Richard George (Technical Architect),
Nicholas Butler (IT Professional),
Jonathan Hodgson (Illustrator),
Joel Rowbottom (Software Engineer, Musician, Photographer),
James Montgomerie (Independent software developer),
Dan Thompson (Arts professional),
Natalie Atkins,
Steven Feldman (Tech Business & Democrat),
Lisa Singh (IT Support, Photographer),
Jared Earle (Systems Administrator, writer and photographer),
Dr Melanie Dymond Harper (IT Security Consultant and photographer),
Fiona Campell-Howes (Copywriter and small business owner),
Nichole Rowbottom (IT Account Manager & Musician),
Jim Anning (Co-owner of a web-based business),
Simon Funnell (Managing Director, London Mozart Players),
Jim Hughes (Software Engineer),
Simon Whittaker (IT Manager),
William Leslie John Ogilvie,
Cameron Neylon (Scientist, blogger),
Tom Chance (Green Party spokesperson on intellectual property),
Dominic Smith (Web developer and student),
Carl Jeffrey (Creative Midwife & Digital Producer),
Lindsey Green (Museum consultant),
Gavin Aldrich (co-owner, Marketing Communications Co.),
Glyn Wintle (IT Professional),
Scott McGurk (IT Professional, ISP Networks Manager),
Kerry Buckley (Software developer),
Zoe Cloke (Photographer),
Jim Ross (Engineering PhD Student),
Andrew Milsted,
Ben Charlton (System Administrator and Photographer),
Ryan McDonough (Website Designer),
Steve Messam (Artist, Designer & Photographer),
Richard Allsebrook (Software Developer),
Ross Lawley (Software Developer),
Graham Linehan (Screenwriter),
Tony Blow (Cross-disciplinary designer),
Luke Benstead (Software Developer, Author),
Dan Murray (Director and Web Designer),
Stefan Isendahl (IT Consultant),
Rory I. Sinclair (Software Engineer),
Martin Kayes (owner, small IT Support company),
Ian Fitter (Engineer & Amateur Photographer),
Benjamin Ellis (Digital Business Owner and Director and Photographer),
Alan Wray,
Jamie Newman (Technical Director),
Andrew Lowther (Web developer),
Arkady Rose (Artist, musician, web developer),
Andrew Paul Landells (Computer Systems Administrator),
Robin Clarke (Games Producer),
Adam Wright (Filmmaker),
David Kerr (IT Professional),
Martyn Drake (Systems Administrator; formerly of the film & TV industry),
Chris Weston (IT Director),
Fraser Brydson (ISP Enterprise Architect),
Paul Chambers (Software Developer),
Sarah Mills (Web Designer & Illustrator),
Paul Cosgrove,
Samuel Pinney (Lead Web Producer, MotorcycleNews.com),
Matthew Hunt,
Michael Cammack (IT Professional),
Jonn Blanchard (Software Developer),
Samuel Ward (Musician and music publishing client account manager),
P. Grant Rule (IT Consultant & Musician),
Anthony Churnside (R&D engineer),
Tony Kennick (Creative industries Consultant),
Paul Grimshaw, (Director, Totally Techy [IT Support]),
Matt Pearson (Author and Programmer),
Adam Reynolds (DBA & Online Chef),
Daniel Wood (Web developer/Photographer),
Bethany Corcoran,
Charlotte Gore (Blogger, freelance web developer),
Denise Swanson (Photographer),
Greg Start (Cameraman),
Ian Mackay (IT Consultant & Amateur Photographer),
Crosbie Fitch (Copyright Abolitionist),
David Cushman (MD 90:10),
James Mayes (Director, TweetJobs),
Steve Burrows FBCS CITP (Business & IT Consultant, CIO, Tech Entrepreneur, Writer),
Suw Charman-Anderson (Tech journalist and consultant),
Richard Cody (Film Student),
Marco De Nichilo (Software developer),
Rhos Lawrence,
Jennifer Berg (Web designer),
Luke Wishart (Illustrator),
Kevin Davidson (IT Consultant),
Yannis Lionis (Software Developer),
Alex Turnpenny (Web developer),
Alan Smith (Chief Technical Officer for a PR Company),
Dr Emma Byrne (Academic),
Lucian Stephenson (Illustrator),
Jon Peacock (Technical Support),
Jim Killock (Executive Director, Open Rights Group),
Sam Stokes (Small business owner),
Glenn Pegden (IT Business Owner),
The Rev Dr. A K M Adam (Priest and Lecturer),
David Thompson (Software Engineer),
Dr Sara Thomas (PhD Popular Music),
Toby Cole (Software Engineer),
Simon Taylor (Audio Book Publisher and Voice Over artist),
Stuart Wood (IT Professional, web designer, photographer),
Vincent Holland-Keen (Author and Business Analyst),
Phil Lowry (e-commerce, @Beermerchants),
Declan Legge (Recording studio owner),
Mark Higgins,
Paul Jakma (Software developer),
David Norris (Head of Editorial, Egmont Publishing Group),
Lindsay Ashford (Senior Production & Systems Consultant),
Chris Kimpton (Internet user),
Chris Limb (Writer, bass player, new media creative),
Barney Carroll (Web Designer),
Dave Teague (Information Security Officer),
James Tindall (Web developer),
Alex Botten (Musician and artist),
Niles Ritchie Calder (Writer),
Eilidh Hyslop (Computer Games Application Development Student),
Dr Christine Sexton (IT Director and Chair of UCISA),
Tim Hall (Telecomms Technologist and Musician),
Peter Russell (Software Developer),
Chris Hathway (Web Designer & Illustrator),
Pete Birkinshaw (Software Developer),
Nicholas Stringer,
Steve Machin,
Simon Lumb (IPTV Software Engineer),
Steve Clarke (Designer/artist),
Greg Lloyd (Software Engineer and Musician),
Chris Russell (Game developer),
Neil Manuell (Web developer and musician),
Thayer Prime (Digital Consultant),
Jason Alvey (Photographer, Blogger),
Andrew Cartledge (Data Manager),
Carl Hodler (Interactive Director),
Dave Lloyd (Founder and CTO of a new media business),
Graham Pilling (Graphic Designer),
Matteo Mario Doni (Technical Support Advisor),
David Arno (Software Developer),
Luke Hay (Web Development Manager),
Jon Woodwards (Programme Director),
Nigel Campbell (Photographer, Musician),
Simon Edwards (Infrastructure Manager),
Neil Brewitt (Independent Software Developer and Musician),
Rob Styles (Software Engineer and Photographer),
Chris Wallace (University Lecturer and Developer),
Zoe Bidgood,
Jenny Mitchell,
Vladimir Zlatanov (Web developer),
Andrew Dyton (Creative Web Developer),
Matthew Frost (Software Engineer & Photographer),
Matthew Moran (Software Developer & Application Support Specialist),
David Bailey (Computer games creator, business director),
Andrew Forrest (Programmer and sometime actor & graphic designer),
Tom Gidden (iPhone Games Developer),
Andy Channelle (Author),
Glyn Dillon (Artist/writer),
Jon Macqueen (Screenwriter),
Dr Maggie Canvin,
Richard Rixham,
James Matthews-Paul (Freelance editor, PR, photographer),
Alan Bradburne (Web developer and author),
Mark Griffin (Digital Developer),
Dr Rory Ewins (Lecturer in E-learning),
Alex Seccombe (Web Developer),
David McCrone,
Adrian Sevitz (CTO, Web Video Company),
Dave Carson (Software Developer),
Nick Hill (Director, video production company [nomagnolia.tv]),
David Gerard (System administrator, Wikipedia press volunteer),
Dr R Charles (User Policy Manager, University Computing Service, Cambridge University),
Matthew Mower (Software Developer & Musician),
Zahra Zomorrodian (Film producer),
Andy Field (Interaction Designer/Developer),
Paul Shemmell (Web Developer, Visiting Lecturer),
Ed Baldry (Interactive designer),
Paul Leman (UK voter & IT person),
Aled Treharne (Communications Consultant, SIPhon Networks Ltd.),
James Blessing (ISP Consultant),
Alan Pope (Company Director, Podcaster, Free Software Advocate),
Hugo Mills (Computer science researcher),
Chris Conder (Business owner, webmaster, graphic designer),
James Governor (co-founder, analyst company),
Duncan Allan (Photographer & Graphic Designer),
Kim-Leng Hills (Freelance Photographer),
Ian Dickinson (Linked data software developer),
Keif Gwinn (Internet Engineer and Film producer),
Pete Brisbourne (Digital game developer),
Johnnie Ingram (author of Machinima For Dummies, and Product Manager for a new media business),
Will Abson (Solutions Engineer),
Avery Penn,
Peter Thomas (Web designer, writer, video editor and marketing consultant),
Alfred Wallace (Prospective writer),
Rob Hopcott (web author [retired]),
Matt Cooke (Professional Photographer),
Aaron Trevena (BSc Hons Computer Systems & Networks, Technical Lead & IT Consultant),
Jon Hall (Network Technician and Musician),
Kevin Beeley (IT Manager),
M N Hughes,
Chris Riley (Expat… Just for these kind of reasons),
Philip Bramhill LBIPP (Photographer),
Catherine McGuckin,
Des O’Loughlin,
Dave Pattern (Library Systems Manager, University of Huddersfield),
Helen Sherwood-Taylor (IT business owner),
William Couper (Writer),
Paul Crowley (Software developer),
Tim Beadle (Web Developer),
Malc Foy (Crime Scene Examiner, Photographer),
Michael Leigh,
Jennie Rigg (Web Designer and Lib Dem candidate),
Callum Alexander Mackenzie (college student),
Stuart Grant (Web Developer/Designer),
Mark Langridge (Senior web developer),
Rob Hopcott (Web author [retired]),
Graham O’Mara (Purchaser of music, DVD, book, ebook and downloads),
Toby Bryans (Founding Partner Deburen LLP),
Paul Battley (Software developer),
Chris Swan (CTO, Tech Corporate Finance company),
Russell Heilling (Network Engineer),
Wayne Myers (Musician),
William Hamilton (IT Professional),
H Rhodes (Music promoter and writer),
Alasdair McLeay (Deputy Technical Director, Advertising Agency),
Adam Mayes (Game Designer),
Ben Ross (Digital Content Editor),
Alexander Kelly (Theatre & Film Maker)
Zoe Rose (User experience designer for online publishing company),
Taylor Nuttall,
Felix Cohen (Web Consultant/Developer),
Sanjay Samani (IT Project Manager & Independent Software Developer),
Matt Raines (Co-owner of a web development business),
Alexander Brooks (Writer),
David Heap (Independent Musician, DJ and Producer),
Jon Read (Photographer),
Hannah Nicklin (PhD student and creative),
Giles Anthony Radford,
Brett Richardson (Music/sound engineering technician),
Si Wharton (Software Developer),
Claire Strickland (Hat Maker who promotes herself using the internet),
Ronnie Brown (Web Development Manager),
Seb Lee-Delisle,
Steve Glover (Web developer),
Ryan Stenhouse (Software Engineer & Angry Voter),
Jonathan Wright (Technical Director, Web Hosting Company),
Per Hammer (Software developer),
Tim Dedopulos (Author),
Tom Fry (Market Research in Information & Technology),
Lucy Bridges (Software Engineer),
Jen Johnson (Ex Head of Information Management, Writer),
Simon T Brown (Software Developer, Cambridge University Institutional Repository),
Lee Pethers (Digital Designer),
Charlotte Heilling (writer and designer),
Stuart Sharpe (Podcaster and iPhone Developer),
Iain Wallace (Web developer/Analyst),
Sam Hampton-Smith (Designer, illustrator, author),
Andrew Hickey (Software engineer and musician),
Christopher Bingham (Student, filmmaker),
Nigel Heffernan (Trading Systems Business Analyst, blogger, short story writer),
Ed Lyons (Games Programmer),
George Beedham (Writer/Artist/Graphic Designer),
David Williams,
Jennifer Jones (PhD student from the School of Creative and Cultural Industries, UWS),
Claire Bateman (Game designer),
Christopher Hamilton (IT Professional),
David Johnston (Game Designer, Software Developer),
Steve Lawson (Independent musician & lecturer on the music industry),
Erica Packington (Social technologist),
Heather Allen,
Oliver Hodgson (Web designer),
David Bunten (IT Developer),
David Marshall (IT professional and amateur musician & photographer),
Phil Wain (Musician and teacher),
Edith Speller (Music Librarian),
Lee Pellington (Musician),
Matt Riggott (Programmer),
Dean Stanley (IT Professional),
Ean Coombs (Web Designer, IT person and Musician),
Mike Arthur (Software Engineer),
Chris Bray (IT Manager, Small Business owner and UK Voter),
Paul M Nolan MBCS (Software Engineer / Web Technologist),
Nic Wistreich (co-author, editor and publisher the Global Film Finance Handbook, How To Fund Your Film),
Steve Engledow (Software Developer for a large book distributor),
Andrew Walkingshaw (Co-founder, angel-backed startup),
Brett Patterson (Industrial Designer),
Laura Kidd (Independent Musician, Film Maker & Blogger),
Gary Ennis (Owner, Web Development Agency),
Mary Hamilton (Journalist),
Mary Branscombe (Freelance journalist & copyright holder),
Tony Marsh (ORG supporter, IT professional),
Joe Best (Game Programmer),
Willie Richardson (Teacher of ICT),
Hakim Cassimally (IT consultant),
Zach Beauvais (Technology Evangelist),
Mike Whitaker (Musician, songwriter, recording engineer, Internet developer),
Tracy King (Digital Marketing),
Jag Gill (Grassroots Innovation Advocate, Creative and Digital Sector),
Melanie Ramdarshan Bold (PhD student - in the IPR/Copyright field),
Rachel Moore,
Max Cooter (IT journalist and editor),
Jennifer Slade (IT Support),
Laura Woods (Librarian and photographer),
Emma Pearson,
Garrett Coakley (Web Developer),
Richard King (Business Analyst and Digital Rights Campaigner),
Kathryn Miller,
Dave Cross (IT Consultant and Trainer),
Fraser McCormick (Web Developer),
Trefor Walters (MD of a communications business),
Zoe Margolis (author, journalist & blogger),
Nick Gillott (IT Technician & Bass Player),
Denny de la Haye (Web application developer, small business owner),
Jenni Hill (UK Voter and Editor),
David McNicoll,
Ian Clarkson (Creative Director/Designer),
Kate Butler (Music PR Consultant/Trainer),
Julian Yon (Musician and BSc(hons) Computer Science),
Adrian Greville-Giddings (Artist and Designer),
Heather Robertson, Systems Engineer,
Marc Roberts (Web Developer),
Eleanor Gidman (Research scientist, musician),
Stef Lewandowski (Digitally Creative),
Mac Jordan (Web developer),
Simon Jones (Software technical writer),
Chris Burns (IT Manager, Performer),
Layla Vandenbergh (Musician),
Nic Ferrier (CTO WooMe.com),
Tony Hoyle (Software Development Manager),
Ross Mills (Games Software Development),
Mick Farrar (IT Team Leader),
Jean-Michel Cornish,
Alan Mills (Educationist and global networker),
Katie Sutton (Activist),
Adam Shulman (Copywriter, creative & small business owner),
S. R. Skinner,
Martin Pilkington (Independent Software Developer),
Nigel Moss (Web Developer, Musician),
Charlie Elise Duff (Editor, HRzone.co.uk),
Adrian Clark,
Stephen Pole (Web developer and musician),
Helen Cox (Film Archives project manager, undecided UK voter),
Judith Rauhofer (IT law academic, University of Central Lancashire),
Jemima Gibbons (Author, lecturer & consultant),
Matt W.B. Plummer (Film Visual Effects Artist),
Wayne Mills (Systems administrator & photographer),
Cennydd Bowles (Web designer and author),
Sam Ross (Web and Graphic Designer),
John Meredith (Music tech lecturer, composer, musician and record label owner),
Martin Dransfield (Software Developer),
Martyn Deedes (IT student),
Andrew Whitehouse (Software Designer and Developer),
Tony Whitmore (IT Manager and podcaster),
Sian Blake (Librarian),
Simon Whatley (Web Developer and Trainer),
Robin Burchell (Software Engineer),
Nick Moreton (Musician, Label Owner, Web Designer),
Dan Lockton (Designer & PhD student),
Mike Booth (Animator),
Ben Gillam (IT manager & Blogger),
Paolo Ciarrocca (Web Developer),
Alfred Wallace (prospective writer),
Matt Flaherty (Software engineer and musician),
Sheila Thomson (Web Developer),
Maria Panayiotis (Former advertising executive),
Ruth Fillery-Travis (Archaeological scientist and technological researcher),
Matthew Searle (IT consultant),
Simon Thornton (Record Producer),
Jon Moore (IT Consultant),
Katie Atkinson (Web developer - arts and cultural sector),
Steve Campbell (Graphic Designer),
Phil Hart (Computer consultant and trainer),
Tom Lambert (Social Media Sales Consultant),
Relly Annett-Baker (Content Strategist),
Becky Hogge (Writer and activist),
David Kendal (Blogger and podcaster),
Simon Starr (Freelance Software Developer),
Tim Lewis (iPhone Developer),
Florian Leppla (Campaigner, Open Rights Group),
Chris Warren (Web developer, IT consultant),
Simon Curran,
Robert Jewitt (Lecturer in Media & Culture, University of Sunderland),
Dave Evans (Web Designer),
Tom Aylott (Web/Multimedia Developer),
Steff Davies (Systems Adminstrator at Last.fm),
Kevin King (Technical Director - Tv & Film Industry & Musician),
Josh Hadley,
Martin Brough,
Gareth Lloyd (PhD student in Psychology),
Phil Coyne (Freelance Web Developer),
Matt Kelland (Internet entrepreneur),
Trevor Callaghan (Lawyer),
Martin Quested (Web developer, UK voter),
Caroline Churchill (Artist, sound engineer),
Aaron Jacob Jones (Web designer),
Rosemary Carver-Smith,
Ben Crisp,
Marc McGinley (Game Designer),
Sarah Lewthwaite (PhD student, Associate Lecturer, disability and technology researcher),
Wesley Williams (Software Engineer, Podcast host/editor),
Aral Balkan (Interaction Designer/Developer),
Lucy Spence (UX manager),
Jas Purewal (Lawyer),
J-P Stacey (Web Developer),
Maria Barrett (Lecturer in Music, Theatre & Entertainment Management),
Damien Valentine (Animator and Film Maker),
Jonty Wareing (Software Developer),
Philip Hands (Free Software Engineer),
Neil Hughes (Software developer),
Lewis Beechey (I.T Student and Web Developer),
Chris Warren (Web developer, IT consultant),
Dr Jason Rutter (Research Fellow),
Paul Jenkins (Voter & music lover),
Ryan Hoare (Website developer),
Ro Smith (Philosopher, writer, artist),
Shane McCracken (Producer of online democracy resources),
Niklas Richardson (Technical Director at a London based Digital Agency),
Kyle Williams (IT Professional),
Paul Reeves (Musician, Web Developer),
Tim Duckett (Software developer),
Will Swain (Web developer),
Peter Jenkins (Systems Engineer),
Juliet Kemp (Freelance writer & sysadmin),
David Evans (Video Games Developer),
Benjamin Ash (Engineering Product Manager),
Sarah Ashley (UK voter),
Tony Dodd (IT Operations Manager),
Daniel Edgar (Interactive Developer),
Iain Holmes (computer programmer/musician),
Joseph Farthing (Public Relations, web design and photographer),
Helen Lambert (Web designer & developer),
Jo Summers (Digital Project Manager),
Nathan Hornby (UX Designer),
Glyn Moody (Writer, journalist),
Steve Abraham (IT Manager & freelance consultant),
Steve Fletcher,
Tim Whitlock (Web application developer),
Adam Brown (Website and e-comms manager),
Simon Fawthrop,
Paul Webster,
Bill Hayes (Independent songwriter and computing student),
Laura Cowen (IT Professional),
Daniel Turner (Developer),
Barry Adams (Online marketer for the newspaper industry),
Kristian Lipscombe (Web Developer & Sound Engineer),
Jacqueline Clitheroe (Photographer),
Peter Wilkinson (Designer),
Liam J. Hayter (Technologies and Production Manager, RaveMedia),
Glen Mehn (Consultant to British start-ups),
Keith Barker (Graphic Designer),
Mark Batup (Designer),
Mark Johnson (Web Developer),
Simon Harriyott (Software Developer and Musician),
Nicola McNee (Librarian),
Cliff O’Sullivan (IT analyst),
Andrew Nixon,
Bill Hayes (Independent Songwriter),
Harry Northover,
Steve Woods (Secretary of @BristolWireless),
Matthew King (Interactive Design Director),
Ross Dargan (Web Developer),
Liam Hesse (Web Developer),
Phillip Jones,
Andy Beaumont (Digital Creative & Author),
Jesse Cochran (Web Technology student, freelance web designer),
Adele Gilpin (Web Developer, Photographer),
Brian Chappell (Developer),
Oliver Cornes (Technology Entrepreneur/Consultant/Author),
Ben Denison (Director Alamo Music Ltd. and Software Developer),
John Rogers (Lighting Designer),
John Dow (Systems and Network Administrator),
Feargal Hogan (Technology Director),
Celia Bell,
David Hall (IT Consultant),
Rhys Anslow (Music student and working musician),
Oliver Hudson (Audio mixing engineer),
David Gale (Independent PPC - Derby North / CEO - SITFO.org),
Dr. Raul Landa (Postdoc researching real-time P2P multimedia),
Georgia Rakusen (Producer of Digital Content, Haus Projects Ltd),
Anthony Killeen (Web Developer),
Harriet Carlton (TV Edit Assistant),
Celia Richards (Artist),
Haydn Maidment (IT Project Manager, Open Source Advocate & Mature Student),
Bob Hill (Retired Computer Teacher and Web Developer),
Donald Futers (Web dev/designer, writer, photographer),
Andrew Gillard (Web Developer),
Marc Whiffen (IT consultant),
Stuart Brodie (Writer, Musician & Voter),
Alan Lord,
James Byatt (Software Engineer),
Mark Fendley (Web Developer),
Mark Adams (Graphic designer),
Meghan Jones (Web developer/systems librarian),
Paul Perrin (Independent Software/Web Developer),
Kaberi Chatterjee (Dancer & film producer),
Jayanta Chatterjee (Singer & film producer),
Obhi Chatterjee (Filmmaker & producer),
Stephen Heller-Murphy,
Matthew Copperwaite (IT Consultant),
Taras Young (Digital Media Officer, Arts organisation),
Gavin Montague (Software Developer),
Dan Clark (Musician, website owner and blogger),
Louise Ferguson (Interactive systems designer),
Akeela Bhattay (Creative Writing & Media Studies Graduate),
Paul Chana (Software Engineer),
Jim Mcniven (CEO Kerb - digital content company),
Christopher J Mounsey (Web Software Designer & Product Manager),
Richard Barnes,
Matthew Daubney (Software Engineer),
James Thomas (UK voter & Systems Administrator),
Mark Wrangham (Software Developer),
Rick Curran, Web Designer / Developer,
Laura Kane,
Martha Henson (Web producer),
Julian Huppert (Lib Dem PPC for Cambridge),
Libby Miller (R&D Engineer),
Andy Borrows (Broadcast Engineer and Musician)
James Taylor (Software Engineer),
Shaun Tweddle (Video and New Media Student),
Xander Cansell (Web Developer, Producer, Librarian),
Stuart Jones (Web Developer),
Mike Outram (Musician, Composer),
Matthew Taylor (Solicitor and Writer),
Abdul Hussain Azid (IT person),
Helen Sherwood-Taylor (IT business owner),
Barney Scott (Web Developer),
Craig Carroll (IT Security Analyst),
Cat Downy,
Alex Kilgour (Web Developer),
Alistair Marshall (Chemical Engineer),
David Lloyd (Film and Web Media Producer),
Ric Byer/05Ric (Musician, Composer, Produce),
Marcus Lanyon (Artist, Writer & Musician),
Tom Nicholls (Photographer),
Peter Bradwell (Researcher, Demos),
Allen Doe (Musician),
James Firth (Managing Director, Dalton Firth Ltd),
Alex Parish (Web Developer),
Damien de Lartigue (Sound Technician),
Pete Ashton (Photographer),
Andy McDonald (PhD Student, Glasgow School of Art),
Philip Storry,
William Waddell (Web Developer),
Nathaniel Virgo (PhD student, hobbyist musician),
Alasdair Monk - Web designer and developer,
Glyn Roberts (Web Developer),
Benjamin Nolan (Photographer, Musician, and Director at Vinari Ltd),
Mike Rogers (IT Operations Director),
Rachel Waller,
Andrew McPhee (Founder, Web Innovation Company),
Andrew Oakley (Head of Software for a higher education charity),
Alex Botten,
Luke Bosman (School teacher and independent web designer),
Lyssa Barber (Consultant and website owner),
Ben Walker (Independent musician and web developer),
Sean Gibbins (Web specialist),
Sophie Freeland,
Richard Willis (Freelance AS3 Developer),
Andres Guadamuz (Lecturer in E-commerce Law, University of Edinburgh),
David Allsopp (Software researcher/consultant),
Niall Flinn (VFX artist),
Ian Dunn (Student studying an MA in Multimedia Journalism),
Gregg Smith,
Ian Hughes (Metaverse evangelist/entrepreneur),
Christopher Marsden (Senior lecturer, Communications Law, University of Essex),
Dave Christie (Computer Technician),
Benoit Xhenseval (CTO),
James Moughan,
Peter Hopton (Digital Industry Entrepreneur),
Leanne Griffin (MA student in Cultural Policy),
Owen Bennett (Web Application Developer and Artist),
James Wheatley (Computer Science Student and iPhone Developer),
Nicky Getgood,
Ceri Davies,
Andrew Howie (Musician),
Garret McMahon (Librarian),
Ferret (Artist/Writer),
Lisa Feinson (Administrator, Internet user, amateur photographer),
Elizabeth Styles (Software Engineer),
James Weston (Web developer),
John Turner (CTO, MHN Ltd),
Melanie Rhianna Lewis (IT Consultant, Software Developer, Photographer, Musician),
John Childs (engineering student),
Nazim Jamil (Web Dev — London),
Kevin Cooke (Freelance Muscian),
Matt Gumbley (Software Engineer),
Luke Buckley (Musician, DJ, rightsholder),
Liz Hammond (blogger, union activist, human),
Zoe Barrow,
Johsh Russell (Web product guy),
Keif Gwinn (Internet systems architect, film producer),
Angus Hewlett (Music software company co-owner, manager, engineer),
George Hickman (Software engineer),
David Carey (Analyst and writer),
Paul Pearson (Media student, volunteer radio presenter/producer),
Dr Miles Gould (Software developer and academic),
Timothy M. Hardman,
Eva Georgiou (Law student),
Henry Dillion (MD Red Squirrel Publishing),
John Turner (CTO, MHN Ltd),
Melanie Rhianna Lewis (IT Consultant, Software Developer, Photographer, Musician),
John Childs (engineering student),
Holly Alyx Finch,
Tom de Grunwald (TV developer and musician),
Peter Stevens (Marketer, Technologist, and Photographer),
Christi Scarborough (Citizens Advice Bureau deputy manager),
Alan Wallace (Web developer).
