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# British Library opens Taking Liberties
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/british-library-opens-taking-liberties/
- Published: 2008-10-30T17:10:56.000Z
- Updated: 2019-02-14T22:42:06.000Z
- Author: openDemocracy Supporters
- Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 18:49

**Anthony Barnett (London,** [**OK**](https://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/)**):** A group of the motley great and goodish waited patiently in the sweeping British Library foyer last night for the official opening of the [Taking Liberties](http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/takingliberties/index.html?ref=opendemocracy.net) exhibition by the Prime Minister - who was delayed because he had to see the Queen. The symbolism of this I leave to the reader. Brown had been given a personal tour before the rest of us were allowed in. There is an inter-active aspect to the glorious display of documents. [Brown remarked](http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page17329?ref=opendemocracy.net),

*And I see that there are questions being asked for a running poll as people go around the exhibition. I am afraid to say that one of the questions is what do you think of the government’s 42 days policy for liberties and for security.*

When he finished Peter Tatchell shouted at Gordon Brown to answer for his government's assult on liberties but answer came there none. Linda Colley, the exhibition's guest curator gave a skillful short speech saying that she hoped the exhibition would help recuperate our exceptional constitutional culture and show that we are not too "pragmatic" to write things down. I feel that a quite deep change of culture is underway and that this exhibition will be seen an important marker and contributer to it.

[See here ](http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=404007&ref=opendemocracy.net)for an interview with Linda Colley. See also [Matthew Shaw's blog](http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/takingliberties/?ref=opendemocracy.net).