Debatably Hoon

That accomplished entertainer and sometime defender of democracy, Bomber Hoon, has indicated his gracious willingness to permit a "national discussion" before the Government extends the time limit for detention without charge. Hoon, who is chief whip and thus the man by whose charisma and persuasive power the matter will be decided, believes that "there would have to be a proper debate in the country and in Parliament before any new proposal was brought forward". This is certainly democratic of him, even if it is a little difficult to understand how a proper debate can be had about a proposal which hasn't yet been advanced.

Sir Ian Blair, the instant and utter Commissioner of Scotland Yard, has spoken of a "mounting" number of terrorist plots, which can be more effectively foiled if police are permitted to imprison people for "somewhere between" seven weeks and three months. He also said that the worst time for a debate on the subject would be "in the aftermath of an atrocity"; so presumably, given the number of plots that are mounting, we need to get the big conversation over and done with in double-quick time so that the Parliamentary Labour Party can roll over once more.