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I’ve said much of this myself, but it is chilling to see a serious British government report hinting of an oppressive dystopia fueled by ubiquitous surveillance and ongoing war on a variety of enemies against the state both inside and out. The current trend of us being driven by fear into allowing the most atrocious violations of our civil liberties will also certainly continue. Britain is farther along the path than we are, but if we do not watch out we could easily bypass them in “security” government.

Information chips implanted in the brain. Electromagnetic pulse weapons. The middle classes becoming revolutionary, taking on the role of Marx’s proletariat. The population of countries in the Middle East increasing by 132%, while Europe’s drops as fertility falls. “Flashmobs” – groups rapidly mobilised by criminal gangs or terrorists groups.

This is the world in 30 years’ time envisaged by a Ministry of Defence team responsible for painting a picture of the “future strategic context” likely to face Britain’s armed forces. It includes an “analysis of the key risks and shocks”. Rear Admiral Chris Parry, head of the MoD’s Development, Concepts & Doctrine Centre which drew up the report, describes the assessments as “probability-based, rather than predictive”.

Concern over how the government controls us goes beyond party lines as those in power will abuse it regardless of stripe.