Rash and ill-thought out, the Digital Economy Act (or DEBill) is deeply flawed and illiberal.

Rushed through against advice of experts, the Act takes two worrying steps:

-It allows the government to force internet service providers to disconnect you from the internet if somebody has used your connection to persistently download copyright content.

That could be you, or it could be your housemate, family member or neighbour. Appeals are limited and would cost you to use, would not be eligible for legal aid. Fines or more appropriate punishments would not be considered.

Disconnections seem especially draconian as they could severely impact on your day-to-day life as society gets more digitalised each day.

-It may force internet service providers to block web sites if they infringe copyright.

This could have a "chilling effect", making people more reluctant to offer services that might attract this draconian attention. It may also allow future government Ministers to block whistleblower sites for leaking "copyright" material (even an email is somebody's copyright).

The Green Party believes that Government attention should be focussing on creating open data and creative ways to evolve digital markets, rather than prosecuting those who share files.

Equally as shocking was that 64 per cent of MPs did not even bother to come and vote on the Bill. In contrast, Green MPs would provide a rallying point for those who oppose this worrying bill.

You can hear more about why I oppose the Bill here.