British Airport security - the rationale

[David Guyatt]

From Jan's post 23 above:

So they are. And it will be a multiple pile-up, for this question also profoundly splits the cabinet. The Lib Dems around the table pledged to abolish control orders and they have Tory allies. The justice secretary, Ken Clarke, hasn't budged in his opposition. Mr Clarke has been round the Whitehall block several times in his long career. He has been home secretary. He is not intimidated by the heavy breathing of the head of MI5. He understands that politicians should be attentive to the advice of the security services, but not slaves to them. Nick Clegg knows that he will look terrible and his party will be in uproar if he dishonours the pledges he made in opposition. One colleague describes the Lib Dem leader as "caught in the headlights". David Cameron, scared of rupturing his coalition, yet fearful of over-ruling the securicrats, is just playing for time. I have learned that the publication date for the review has been put back yet again towards the end of the year.

Cameron and Clegg must be vacating themselves. Neither can effectively overrule the security establishment as doing so has a way of resulting in unexpected front-page media scandals that ruin political careers. On the other hand, not doing something breaks promises and looks to the public like weakness or duplicity.

But then again, the history of politics is strewn with broken promises...

The Defence of the Realm boys don't take prisoners.