Jacqui Smith, no liberal

Guy Aitchison (Bristol, OK): Those who hoped that Jacqui Smith's calm and measured response to the failed terrorist attacks in Glasgow and London signalled the beginning of a less authoritarian approach from the Home Office are advised to read the interview with her in this week's New Statesman. It is not encouraging. Martin Bright and John Kampfner conclude that "on extension of the 28-day period of detention without charge, on identity cards, on penal policy and on immigration, she is, if anything, more convinced about the authoritarian approach than the tough guys who came before." Smith, we learn, "baulks" at the idea of being called a "liberal" and chooses David Blunkett, her old boss at the DfES, as her role model. On the 28 days, she says that she has "been persuaded that at some time in the future we will need to be in a position where, in very rare situations, we may need to go beyond 28 days." And on ID cards: "There will be an ID card. From 2009 we will be introducing ID cards for UK citizens. From 2008 we will introduce what will effectively be an ID card for those who have been in the UK for more than six months." She couldn't be much clearer. We hope to report from No2ID.