It’s quite ironic that Parliament’s unelected upper chamber has dealt yet another humiliating blow to Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s already diminishing authority.
Last night, the House of Lords threw out plans to hold terror suspects for 42 days without charge by 309 votes to 118. It was yet another climbdown for the government. However, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith now wants to bring in such legislation in reserve ‘in case of an emergency’.
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY???? When will that be, Ms Smith?
Why not do the honourable thing and repeal the terror laws in their entirety? The government are already fighting wars on several fronts without you wanting to start another one. While you’re at it, how about scrapping the expensive and unworkable ID card scheme?