Charles Clarke - Your views on fighting terrorism

From: Charles Clarke Sent: Friday, November 04, 2005 5:57 PM Subject: Your views on fighting terrorism I am emailing you today to find out your views on the action the Government is proposing to take to challenge the new terrorist threats that face all of us. Since the London bombings of 7 July, we all know that the UK faces a terrorist threat of a different level of seriousness and complexity from anything Britain has faced before. We are confronting extremists whose aims are to kill and maim as many people as possible, to strike at the heart of our society and destroy what we stand for.

These terrorists are part of complex international organisations that make ever greater use of new technology such as encrypted computers. Further attacks remain a real possibility, so action to protect our citizens is urgent. The Government has introduced the Terrorism Bill, currently going through Parliament, to try and ensure that the police and intelligence services have the powers they need to stay ahead of the new breed of terrorist. Yet some are opposing the Government's proposals, which come on the advice of specialist anti-terrorist police. Facing up to the challenges of the new terrorist threat is so important; we want to have your views as soon as possible. Please go the Labour website to register your views. Click here to go there now. Best wishes Charles Clarke Home Secretary

In Reply to Charles Clarke Email- Your views on fighting terrorism By Paul Whitlow

Dear Mr. Clarke. Of course I think our laws should be updated when necessary, with due regard for civil liberties, after full debate in the House. If people cannot be brought to trial because laws have not kept pace with modern technology, for example, the law must be updated. However, the creation of new offences should be undertaken with great care. Religious tolerance allows for criticism and has an historical base. How many people celebrated Bonfire Night on Saturday by burning the effigy of a Roman Catholic? I do feel that police should have the time and opportunity to complete their investigations, but how does the incarceration of suspects without trial achieve this? I also think that safeguards to protect innocent people are important - it's called the defence of civil liberties. Paul Whitlow, Suffolk (Paul was Green Party candidate for Suffolk Coastal this year) suffolkcoastal.greenparty.org.uk/index.htm

In Reply to Charles Clarke Email- Your views on fighting terrorism By B E Robinson To Mr. Charles Clarke, clarkec@parliament.uk Home Secretary My views on the present Government’s approach to terrorism

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to express an opinion. I have very serious reservations about the intended new terrorism laws. I have no doubt whatsoever that your intentions are well-meant. However, I believe completely, that put into the hands of those who guide our destiny, their purpose will be totally corrupted. I do not necessarily mean by the ‘big’ men of politics. I mean by the ‘little’ men, those local politicians, whose answer to criticism by educated, well-intentioned residents, is to bully, and mislead. I believe that at one time, it was proposed to allow our local authorities to tap into our e-mails. Ye Gods! I am a community activist. I try to work with my council in a positive way. Unfortunately, I believe that I am beginning to cause senior officers public embarrassment as I reveal what I interpret as dubious tactics. ( I believe I have some evidence. I will forward it, should you wish). What are senior officers to do? Embarrassment is far more serious than prison. Clearly, with the terrorism laws in place, they may be tempted to reach for these. Any peaceful protests will be easily interpreted as ‘glorifying terrorism’. I exaggerate? I invite you to attend a Cabinet Meeting of our Authority, and watch as we try to peacefully draw attention to our concerns. Before you shrug these remarks off as those of a woolly-pully, beatnik, French-style car-burning troublecauser, consider this: I am 69 years old. I professionally qualified in sciences. I have been founder-Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary of a branch of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. I am proud to be British. I am proud of our democracy. In other words, I am a normal citizen. It is not necessarily what you are trying to achieve that is wrong. It is the seeming naivety with which you approach it. Sincerely, Barry

Dear Thisisull, I cannot express strongly enough, my concerns about the ‘justice’ meted out to the Greenpeace protestors. I wish that I had had the guts to do what they have done. Of course it would be frightening to Mrs. Prescott. However, I consider it inappropriate for John Prescott, whom some might suggest is himself irresponsible, to appeal to our sympathies for his wife. It is only because people like these eight community activists are willing to stand up and be counted, that our democracy is being relatively slowly eroded. Without them, our civil rights would already be non-existent. Their protest may well be one of the last acts of individual community responsibility, before the laws on terrorism give such powers to all tinpot politicians that they will have complete, ‘animal farm’-style control of our lives. Do I exaggerate? Who, a couple of years ago would have believed that a community activist, peacefully conducting a never-ending vigil near the Houses of Parliament would be a ‘threat to security’? Who would have expected a community activist at the Labour Party Conference to be manhandled, because he said, ‘nonsense’? Barry

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