The Digital Economy Act

The controversial Digital Economy Act is now law after being approved by the House of Commons by a majority of 142 votes, the House of Lords and receiving Royal Assent. The Act was dealt with as part of the 'wash-up' procedure, which is where there is a lack of time before the general election and proposed legislation is not given the normal level of scrutiny. The complexity of the Act and the lack of time spent on it has lead to a strong level of opposition with over 20,000 voters writing to their MPs and over 60,000 messages on Twitter in the week prior to its third reading in the House of Commons. However, the next Parliament will be able to study the most contentious aspects of the Act before they are enacted and there will be an extended period of public consultation.