Government's plans for ID Cards and Terrorism Bill threaten to divide the party

Labour MPs call for serious approach to security issues not legislative stunts

On the eve of the Prime Minister's speech to the Labour Party Spring Conference, John McDonnell MP, Chair of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs, said:

“It's not too late for the Government to think again. We all appreciate the seriousness of the security threat but ID Cards would be a huge waste of resources and will have no effect.

“Serious risks warrant serious policies which address the real issues, not legislation which won't work, can't be implemented and is ludicrously expensive.”

“The Terrorism Bill is also completely unnecessary. The last few days have clearly shown that we already have a substantial body of legislation which has proved effective on issues of incitement.

“We're building the vote against the Government's proposals on the ID Cards and Terrorism Bills to send a clear message back to the Lords and force the Government into serious and meaningful negotiations.”

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