Extention to detention

So Labour have decided not to go all the way for another doubling of the length people can be held without charge, a mere 42 days is the aim this time. Up from 28 days, up from 14 days, up from 7 days, up from 2 days plus the possibility of an extra five with special permission of the Home Secaretary which is where it was when they entered office at the end of the IRA's campaign of terror. A campaign which had seen IRA mortars falling on downing street a mere 6 years before, while the later stages of First Gulf War where in progress.

Once again we are told that this is a measure that will only be used in exceptional circumstances, just as we where told during every other extention. Once again we are told that it will be rarely used, but that they really really need it, just as we where told during every other extention. This is haft true, going near the 28 day limit has only been very rarely used however there is still little evidence that even that is really needed.

The Tories are against the extention. The Liberal Democrats are against the extention. It is likely that any Labour back benchers remaining from the opposition years would be at least privately against it too. During that time Labour had taken to a policy of abstention every time the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Measures) Act was renewed to continue 2 days detention without trial. Not that I expect McStalin to have that much trouble whipping it through like all the other deeply illiberal legislation that has come onto the statute books the same way.