General election 2017: Politicians spar over security after London Bridge attack
Jeremy Corbyn accuses Theresa May of trying to 'protect the public on the cheap', while PM issues four-point plan to tackle extremism
Security is topping the political agenda following another terror attack on UK soil merely days before voters head to the polls.
The third attack in as many months has sparked a fresh debate about counter-terrorism, with Theresa May yesterday unveiling a new four-point plan to tackle extremism.
"While we have made significant progress in recent years, there is – to be frank – far too much tolerance of extremism in our country," the Prime Minister said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Her plan includes shutting down safe spaces for extremists in the real world and online and increasing prison terms for even minor terrorism offences.
Critics accused the Prime Minister of politicising the atrocity in London in breach of an agreement to halt the general election campaign yesterday, The Guardian reports.
But Jane Merrick argues in The Independent that May should not be blamed for the political nature of her speech.
Experiencing three attacks in fairly quick succession has shaken the country, she says: "As we are in uncharted territory, there is no rulebook to follow. But it seems like May cannot win and would have faced criticism whatever she had said."
Speaking in Carlisle yesterday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused May of "trying to protect the public on the cheap" as he criticised the Tories' cuts to the police service.
"In a sharp attack upon May’s anti-terror credentials, Labour's leader questioned why the police had faced dramatic cuts under her six-year tenure as home secretary and promised to recruit another 10,000 officers and 1,000 security service agents," the Guardian reports. Security has not previously been seen as a Labour strong suit, particularly under Corbyn, who has voiced doubts about shooting to kill active terrorists and opposed anti-terror legislation.
The past few days have changed the backdrop of the closing stages of the election campaign, says the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg.
"Voters choose their political parties for all sorts of different reasons," she says. "But as this strange election hurtles towards its close, the demand of who can keep the country safe is firmly on the table."
Seven people were killed and 48 injured on Saturday night when three attackers drove a white van into pedestrians on London Bridge and then stabbed revellers outside Borough Market.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Turkish aerospace firm hit in deadly 'terrorist attack'
Speed Read The attack killed five people and wounded at least 22 others
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'This failure to reach out to the entire 9/11 community is unacceptable'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'It's late, but never too late, to learn the truth'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The future for Hamas under Yahya Sinwar
The Explainer Choosing hardline 'butcher' as political leader signals Gaza as centre of group's power, but imperils ceasefire negotiations
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why the 9/11 terror cases still linger after two decades
Talking Points A plea deal reversal follows missed opportunities and complications over torture
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Is Britain about to 'boil over'?
Today's Big Question A message shared across far-right groups listed more than 30 potential targets for violence in the UK today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published