If it doesn’t contain a workable definition, the law of unintended consequences will follow.
The leader of Britain’s Conservative MEPs reports from the European Parliament.
After Paris and now Brussels, let’s avoid claims based on gut feelings, out-dated information or – dare I say it – wilful misunderstandings.
The balance of the safety argument is for leaving. But neither referendum outcome will dampen the fanaticism of our home-grown extremists.
Technical security, good intelligence and confidence in our values saw us through against communism. We need all of them to see the West through this again.
“These are appalling and savage attacks.”
Without this Data Communications Bill, excitable European judges could fatally undermine intelligence gathering capabilities.
In the areas of serious organised crime, counter-terrorism, money laundering and drugs and people trafficking, there is hugely fruitful EU-wide cooperation.
“I firmly support the action that President Hollande has taken to strike ISIS in Syria and it is my firm conviction that Britain should do so too.”
We cannot know. But however important that question is, it should not be the only one that MPs ask if they vote on bombing ISIS in Syria – or even the main one.
It would be pusillanimous not to join France in Syria for fear of an ISIS attack here. But Tory backbenchers should go into any vote with their eyes wide open.
Plus: Military strikes against Syria now. And: Maria Eagle should tell Corbyn to stuff his job. So should Kevan Jones.
The second in a series of policy briefings.