'By hugely expanding the powers of the police, intelligence services and judiciary, the Terrorism Bill poses the gravest threat to civil liberties and democratic rights', Communist Party general secretary Robert Griffiths told the party's political committee on Wednesday evening.
Citing Amnesty International's savage attack on the Bill, he warned that
Muslims, foreign nationals and asylum seekers would be stripped of their
human rights as a consequence. Mr Griffiths urged full support for all MPs
who were genuinely resisting the Bill's proposals which include 90-day
police detention and a new offence of 'glorifying terrorism'.
The political committee welcomed David Blunkett's departure from the
Cabinet, while warning that the government's drive against incapacity
benefit claimants could now involve 'more stick and less carrot'.
'The rot has started at the top with a war-mad, profit-worshipping Prime
Minister who is besotted with the powerful and the wealthy', Mr Griffiths
declared.
'His scorched-earth policy towards our public services - especially
education - underlines the urgent need for the labour movement to clear out
the whole New Labour clique in favour of a real Labour government which
pursues progressive policies', he added.
The Communist Party political committee welcomed the launch of a CND
petition against any renewal of Britain's nuclear weapons of mass
destruction, pointing out that that the cost of replacing Trident would
finance 1,200 high-tech schools, 100 ultra-modern hospitals or 200,000 new
homes.