Good news
The ICM poll shows that whilst 36% of those asked think people who may be guilty of a terrorist offence should be held in detention for up to six week, or 42 days, before they are charged or released, 32% say it should be up to four weeks, 13% up to two weeks, 10% up to one week and 6% up to four days.
Significantly, when told that six weeks in custody is equivalent to the prison sentence which someone might serve if found guilty of an offence such as burglary or assault quite a few people change their minds. Of those who said terrorist suspects should be held for up to six weeks before being charged or released, more than a third (35%) changed their minds when told this and agreed it is not right to hold someone who may be innocent for so long.
I really don't understand why this law is going through. It doesn't make us any safer from a possible terrorist attack. The only possible motives were to 1) look tough on terror and 2) do something that is popular with voters. 2) would appear now to be false, which leaves looking tough on terror. But with other issues (food prices, the economy, etc etc etc) on people's minds, looking tough on terror is the last thing that should be on Labour's minds.
I have let my membership of the Labour Party lapse, partly because of the 10p tax debacle, but also because of this needless, ridiculous legislation. It doesn't help that we have an incompetent Home Secretary to try to pass it, as well as Tony McNulty, who again seems vacuous and cannot fail to come across as annoying on whatever political show he is interviewed on. It would help if he bothered answering the questions put to him (not that that's anything novel in a politician).
Whether or not I should renew my membership, I really do not know. Expect some agonising soul-searching across this blog over the next few months.
Cory
