The ‘Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026’ in its current form is a total betrayal of the core principles that public power is exercised through known rules and courts, not arbitrary decisions by whoever happens to be in charge. The Magna Carta is a 1215 charter forced on King John after a baronial revolt that established the principle that the ruler is bound by law and that people cannot be punished or deprived of rights without lawful process. From the Magna Carta come three key principles that underpin our civil liberties and the legitimacy of government power. They are the rule of law, meaning the ruler is bound by law, not personal whim, and power must have a lawful basis. Punishment must not be arbitrary. The state can’t imprison, dispossess, outlaw, or otherwise penalise you on mere say-so. And due process, meaning any punishment must follow known lawful procedures and be imposed through lawful authority, through a legitimate court or judgment rather than ministerial decree. This is the “government of law, not of men”. That this bill can even be proposed, let alone considered in its current form, is an indictment of this government and our civil society.