The debate in Parliament yesterday confirmed that the anti-piracy measures within the Digital Economy bill are certain to pass into law, and be retained regardless of which party takes power next month.

I’ve written before about my concerns regarding the proposed legislation that would force service providers to cut off the internet connections of those who download music illegally. And my view on this has not changed. Those who download music for free are also the most likely to pay to download it. They are your customers.

At a time when the current government is pushing for more public services to be accessed online, and Marks & Spencer non-executive director Martha Lane Fox is spearheading a campaign to bring as many people online as possible by the end of 2012, this legislation will lead to some being digitally disenfranchised.

The shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt admits that the Digital Economy Bill as it stands is far from perfect.

The Conservatives are refusing to support clauses relating to giving fresh powers to regulator Ofcom, and forcing ITV to air independently produced news programmes.

However, Hunt said that the anti-piracy clause would reluctantly be allowed through, as he insisted that there would be an economic loss to the creative industries if the clause is dropped altogether.

However, he did concede that should the Conservative Party take power that there would be time to introduce safeguards to the anti-piracy measures before they are put in place.

It’s crucial that retailers push the Tories to ensure that the punishment fits the crime, and for instance whole families aren’t penalised by the loss of an internet connection because of the activities of a teenage son.

Digitally disenfranchising consumers will disadvantage all those who trade online.

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