PMQ's - 42 days

For the Union Wed Jun 11, 2008 at 02:39:58 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

Brown was quite the statesman today; a powerful and strong performance - maintaining a position in the face of defeat, - could you ever see cameron do that?  Cameron looked weak harking on about civil liberties; well guess what - we are at war with radical islamic extremism, and if the police need more time to question; then they should be granted all the time in the world.




Presumed terrorists should be afforded no benefit of the doubt. This debate about 6 weeks is laughable. Imagine if the enemy facing their trial for the liquid explosives managed to go through with the plan - we would not be having this conversation.

Infact, I think internment would have to be rushed through - for this country will never be held to ransom by extremism.

How very strange it is that Labour is the party of national security; however, as an activist - that's a campaign i very much welcome.  



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PMQ's - 42 days | 4 comments (4 topical)

Re: PMQ's - 42 days (#1)

by Timka on Wed Jun 11, 2008 at 11:05:16 PM GMT

'At was with islamic extremism' - freedom must be curtailed to protect all. Bit of a George Bush fan?


Re: PMQ's - 42 days (#2)

by Free Radical on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 12:26:36 AM GMT

"...if the police need more time to question; then they should be granted all the time in the world"

All the time in the world?

"Presumed terrorists should be afforded no benefit of the doubt"

What does this mean, if it's only a "presumed" terrorist then it could be someone completely innocent, surely?

And as to affording no benefit of doubt?

You seem to have no conception of fundamental principles of justice or of English (or Scottish) law. What about the presumption of innocence? What about the fundamental principle of justice that if there is doubt you must not convict? What about the provision of Magna Carta, that "justice delayed is justice denied"? What about habeas corpus - introduced into English law to prevent maltreatment and torture. Yours is indeed a frightening and, if I may say, fascistic, view of the world - and yet, you brand our enemies (rightly) as "extremist". But you are blissfully unaware of the fearful extremity displayed by your views.

In my view you are confusing what might arguably be necessary temporarily in a war or a grave civil emergency with changes to the normal laws of the land - indeed this is the mistake being made by the government. We are not in any way "at war" in the way that we were in World War II, with thousands dying daily and bombs raining down on our cities. We are in a protracted asymetric struggle with tiny numbers of people who would, if they could, kill civilians en masse. If such a mass attack took place then the Civil Contingencies Act with temporary emergency powers could be invoked. That is the proper way to do this, rather than trashing fundamental liberties and principles of justice in the way you propose.

My only comfort is that I am convinced that you are not typical of Labour party activists.


Re: PMQ's - 42 days (#3)

by NorthernMonkey on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 12:39:28 AM GMT

Strongly disagree. We should always care about our national security, but we must be the party of civil liberties first and foremost.

The Tories will never defend human rights once they get back into government, so if we won't defend them, who will?


Re: PMQ's - 42 days (#4)

by NB on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 12:46:55 AM GMT

What utter tosh!
a. Everyone knew by PMQ that Gordon had bribed enough MPs to support him.
b. More people in the UK have been killed by bee stings than terrorists since 9/11.
c. There is no evidence at all that this would help national security.



PMQ's - 42 days | 4 comments (4 topical)