Views
Right response to terror threat - for The Inverness Courier
LAST week’s security alert, after police uncovered what looks like a very serious plan to attack commercial airliners flying from the UK, reminds us all of the threat that continues to be posed by terrorism.
No doubt more detail will emerge in the days and weeks to come, but the hard work of the police and security services may have prevented a catastrophic loss of life.
The Government’s prompt and proper response to the immediate and serious threat quite rightly received cross-party support as well as the understanding of the British people, even those understandably frustrated by travel delays. As always in these situations, people have been patient and supportive.
We were reminded that terrorism is not just confined to London and the big cities, but here as well. The Highlands was directly affected by delayed and cancelled flights from Inverness. Some of Britain’s most important economic installations, in the oil industry, are in the North and they also benefit from the vigilance of security services.
Amid all the chaos, the belief that the threat of terrorism should not be allowed to disrupt our normal life rightly and rapidly asserts itself. Security must be the primary consideration, but the Government must also be mindful of the need to achieve the earliest return to normality for the aviation industry and the economy.
But there is a political point here too. Just as the terrorists score a victory if they disrupt our economic life, so they will also have succeeded if we water down our commitment to our liberal values in response. For example, the view that we must be prepared to sacrifice some of our liberties by allowing ID cards in order to help fight these cowardly attackers should be rejected.
RECALL PARLIAMENT?
THE threat posed by terrorism added further demands for Parliament to be recalled from its summer recess. While recalling Parliament is relatively unusual, it only happens in the case of a dire emergency, I have supported the call for MPs to return to Westminster to hold an emergency debate on the situation in the Middle East.
The dreadful conflict in Lebanon and Israel has already been allowed to go on for far too long. I want ministers, and especially the Prime Minister, to tell Parliament what they are doing to help bring about an end to this conflict. The situation in the Middle East is worsening and urgent action must be taken to bring about an immediate ceasefire.
Recalling Parliament would give MPs an opportunity to question ministers on why they have so far failed to condemn Israel’s disproportionate actions in response to the equally appalling attacks that it has suffered from Hezbollah. There is real public anxiety, and no little anger, about the government’s policy of following Mr Bush rather than thinking for itself. Recalling Parliament would force Mr Blair to account for his terrible misjudgements.
However, I do not necessarily share the view that the length of the summer recess should be reduced. To me, it has been very useful to be able to spend a lengthy period in the Highlands, listening to the issues and problems that people raise and being able to spend time in the smaller communities across Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey.
For example, at a well-attended public meeting in Croachy Church Hall last Tuesday night the anger that many people feel about Tony Blair’s foreign policy, and especially his obsessive desire to stay close to President Bush, was made very clear. In deciding the length of the summer recess, we need to balance the importance of opportunities such as this with any desire to see extra time spent in Westminster.
LOCHARDIL BY-ELECTION
I WAS absolutely delighted by the result of last week’s Highland Council by-election in the Lochardil ward. David Henderson is an experienced and respected local figure and he will make an excellent, hard-working representative for the people of his area.
Of course, next year the council will be elected under a new electoral system. The system of three- or four-member wards elected by proportional representation will help to ensure that the composition of the newly-elected councils across Scotland better reflect the views and preferences of local people.
Posted on: 15/08/2006
