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We can Stick to Our Values and Fight Terrorism.

Posted by Bob Laxton, MP for Derby North, at 15:30, Wed 4 July 2007:

The recent attacks at Glasgow Airport have reaffirmed the fact that the threat of terrorism is a national threat and one that is not just concentrated on London. At East Midlands Airport, along with all airports nationwide, they have immediately reacted by tightening security, increasing the police presence as well as preventing cars from being parked at the front of terminal buildings. With these extra security measures, it has been pleasing to see that flights have not been adversely affected and that, despite the obvious inconveniences to passengers, holiday makers and business travellers have managed to get away to their chosen destinations. In many ways, I think the example of Airports highlights the best possible response to a heightened terrorist threat – security is increased but this does not prevent citizens from going about their business.

In ten years as an MP I have to say that everything and nothing has changed with respect to security policy. Before 2001, I would have never imagined that we would be facing the threat we face today or that we would have passed legislation to the extent that we have, to try and make us all safer at home. Some of this legislation has divided opinion and has without doubt angered those who are involved in, or support civil liberties groups, who feel that the Government have run roughshod over our inalienable rights. I have to say that I do not share this opinion. In fact, when attacks on our nation occur I think that it can almost give the debate a rare clarity. It is likely that the terrorists that planted the car bomb outside of the nightclub Tiger Tiger did so because, for extremists, nightclubs – with their free sale of alcohol and the often liberal fashion choices of both men and women encapsulate everything that they abhor about western culture. It is Al Qaeda’s choice of this sort of target that highlights the entire crux of the battle we face against terrorists. They are not attacking the UK as retribution for Iraq or our foreign policy but they attack and hate every citizen in the UK regardless of race or religion because we have a world leading free market economy within a liberal democracy which is underpinned by fundamental human rights.

Now unfortunately for the terrorists, the battle of freedom vs. oppression and democracy vs. dictatorship has already been won. Of course, there are many regimes that continue to be a scourge on our planet and in some cases progress towards democracy is slow and tough but nonetheless, democracy and freedom continue to spread and there is no chance of it being halted. Because the extremists know this they have to use desperate and suicidal measures to continue their fight. Therefore, the question for Government is how to react to the threat that we face.

In my view, I have tended to lean towards giving the Police the powers that they have requested to combat the threat, this was highlighted by the fact that I supported the move to have a maximum of 90 days detention following arrest. I totally understand the objections to this on the grounds of civil liberties but as a nation I fundamentally believe that we will always be underpinned by our values of freedom so I felt that this was a reasonable sacrifice to make in the fight against terrorism.

Under Prime Minister Brown’s Government I am reassured that our freedoms will be further protected or maybe even enshrined for ever more in some form of a Bill of Rights. However, at the same time their will undoubtedly be a renewed debate on how best we can combat the continued threat that we face. I am convinced that if we pass the right legislation we can further guarantee our values and increase our security. However, regardless of how this debate takes shape I would like to urge everyone in Derby and nationwide to remain vigilant and prove to the terrorists that they will never win by continuing our daily lives as normal.

Bob Laxton MP Derby North