Westminster Diary - 17th August 2005

Wednesday, 17th August 2005

In the United States at the moment, one of the most topical and controversial issues is that of border security. In some parts of Texas and New Mexico, a state of emergency has been declared because too many 'illegals' have crossed the border from Mexico. A connection is often made between the porous nature of America's borders, especially its Southern border, and America's vulnerability to terrorism. As one US Congressman put it recently, "national security is border security".

In Britain too the recent terrorist attacks have made us think about the integrity of our borders. We ask whether we can feel safer by limiting access to our territory. I have no doubt that Britain can be safer with increased border security. We should have 24-hour monitoring of our ports of entry and we should re-introduce embarkation controls. These measures would, I believe, do more to enhance our security than a costly Identity Card scheme, but I disagree with the Congressman. National security is not border security, there is more to making us safe than strengthening our fences against the outside world. We also have an internal problem. The young men responsible for the bombings of 7th July were born and brought up in Britain, yet they hated our country so much that they were prepared to kill themselves and anyone lese they could in order to harm it.

The challenge which now faces all in public life and indeed everyone in Britain, in addition to enhancing our security, is how to combat that alienation and to promote instead an inclusive Britishness which instills pride in our country, whatever your origins. Those who preach hatred we must expel and those who promote integration we must encourage, whatever their beliefs. Only then will Britain be safe within her borders.

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Updated on Wednesday, 17th August 2005