It's just another attempt of control of population, gathering of information. Afaik, uk has highest surveillance camera usage of any country - doesn't do much for crime prevention, except 1984. It will all be linked into road charging, (gps location, mobile phone calls, utility bills, canon camera clicks, just the general trend of government, riding on the back of 'the threat of terrorism'. The idea is to convert the population into a grey mass of tax paying equality, so that the elite, the government, can indulge in their extravagances.
All you need do is araldite a mobile phone to your slr.
Anyway, apparently a magnum photographer had some recent agro on a beach in Brazil, too.
Actually, it may be a good idea. A camera licensing system. You get a 'learner's' license, allows you to own a P&S. You take a test, if you pass you can then get an SLR, an additional test for extra lenses. The hgv equivalent licence for scanning backs, say. You renew the licence annually, have to send the camera in for an MOT. You pay tax on the number of clicks made per year. A mobile phone camera, provided it is less than 3MP is counted as a moped. It makes more sense than taxing windows.
Anyway, wrt public places, everywhere in the UK is owned or managed by someone. If its OK for wealthy boat owners, say, to prevent pictures of their boat being published, then why not let Fred have some rights over photo's of his kids? Many of the existing laws, have little connection with modern life.
Not a bad thing wrt. tourists. They can hire a car, and a photographer.
Best wishes,
Ray