Home > Campaigning > International Affairs > Terrorism
Terrorism
The terrorist threat is a real one, and therefore the Government has a responsibility to protect our society. The public may be sceptical about the risk of global terrorism, but it does exist, and we have to acknowledge that new ways to confront the threat must be introduced. This is a challenge that other European countries also face.
The Government's Identity Card Scheme is part of Labour's wider agenda to make our communities safer and more secure at every level. The scheme is in keeping with those introduced in many other countries where there is a drive to increase document security using biometric data. The Government would have to introduce biometric passports in the near future anyway, in line with international requirements, and believes that introducing a comprehensive identity card scheme now, will be more cost effective and bring many additional benefits.
The cards will help tackle illegal working, abuse of the immigration system and fraudulent use of free public services, all of which can undermine people's belief in a fair distribution of society's burdens and benefits. Police organisations have explained that ID cards will help speed up street identification which avoids wasted police time, as well as assisting in the prevention of fraud, money laundering, illegal working and immigration. The Security Services feel that an ID card will also help to disrupt the use of false identities by terrorist organisations.
The Government has recently passed the Prevention of Terrorism Bill that legislates for control orders to be placed on terrorist suspects. Prosecution is the preferred way forward, but that it is important to recognise that this isn't always possible, given the highly sensitive sources and techniques involved in the terrorist threat.
Control Orders are not internment, and will not impact on the traditional rights and freedoms that citizens enjoy in this country. It is important not to over exaggerate the proposals - the UK is not a police state, and we place a high value on our civil liberties here. I am not happy about the idea of people being detained without trial. I'm sure you must appreciate that deciding how to deal with terrorist suspects is an extremely complex issue. There is no obvious or easy solution.