UK News 23-11-2004 Blair Plays The Terror Card who: The Queen what: Unveils proposed new draconian anti-terror legislation where: House of Commons, LONDON when: This morning snippet: Law and order is "at the heart of an electioneering Queen`s Speech" today, reports The Financial Times, which says the prime minister hopes to "enthuse core Labour voters and head off a challenge from the Conservatives in middle England". The crackdown on crime will include "a national identity card scheme, an FBI-style serious crime agency, further crackdowns on antisocial behaviour and drugs, as well as plans to merge the prison and probation services," says The Times. But the unveiling of Labour`s plans for 37 tough law-and-order Bills coincides with a leak to the media alleging that "security services have thwarted four or five September 11-style attacks on targets including Canary Wharf and Heathrow Airport," says the ITV news website. And with no apparent details emerging about when these attacks were allegedly thwarted, there are suggestions that the timing is uncannily convenient for Mr Blair. "A time of increased public fear is the wrong time to be pushing through draconian measures that undermine fundamental freedoms," says The Independent`s Nigel Morris, voicing the fears of "critics", pointing out that that an identity card system "was in operation at the scene of the Madrid bombings". [... more]

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