It is a day for about turns. First, the Pope has taken a historic decision to approve
the use of condoms to fight AIDS; second, Labour has vowed to change its position on terror legislation and law and order. The party feels its record in government has damaged its reputation as a
guarantor of liberty. Generation Ed wants to make another break from the past.
Ed Balls has masterminded a cunning sleight of hand. The proposal is nowhere near as dramatic as headlines suggest. Labour will support the government’s proposed reduction of detention periods from 28 days to 14, provided the police and security services are not impeded by the change. Balls also indicated that he could support the abolition of control orders if an alternative was found. These are difficult issues and the security services are not afraid to cry wolf – that is, after all, their job. In all probability, Balls’ caveats will mature when the division bells rings.
Theresa May is struggling to convince some Tory backbenchers that a reduction in detention is sensible and the Cabinet is split on control orders. A natural to opposition, Balls hopes to exploit these differences with a show of high-minded principle. But, the New Generation’s sudden magnanimity will not cost Labour ground on law and order, a policy area where the party is ascendant. Civil liberties provide contention over the Dolcelatte and port; no one else is interested. As one backbench Tory MP told me: ‘Do you think the majority of my constituents have heard of John Locke?’
On the populist issues of law, order and liberty, Labour will remain profoundly authoritarian. Balls told Andrew Marr:
“I think if you swing always to the Liberal view and don’t take into account the fact that the public want us to catch criminals as well you can get that balance wrong. And I think some of the stuff in the coalition manifesto about wanted to scrap the DNA database or to get rid of CCTV… I think that’s a step too far…I think ID cards are gone… a decision’s been made, now we’ll move on.”
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