Extremism & EU: The British Conservative Government's New Measures

We would like to extend our most sincere congratulations to David Cameron for his re-election. The British People beat the expectations and sent a clear message: PM Cameron did a fine job tidying Britain up and wish him to not only keep up with the fiscal discipline, but to also deliver on matters related to the European Union – the Left would never be as competent as the Conservative Party.

A Government coalescence is formed, in principle, due to the existence of common interests. But the understanding of what those common interests are may become blurred once the coalition is put together. PM David Cameron (Tory), in his first term in office, was obviously being dragged down by his political-partner, Nick Clegg (LibDem), where it mattered the most: security and the EU. Fortunately, the British Citizens analysed the situation properly, saw right through Mr Clegg  (NB: it would be interesting to know what specific interests he and his people serve) and then showed him the exit door.

Fighting Extremism

Now that the Tories came out of the elections stronger; they can go ahead with their original plans (to tackle extremism) and speak plainly:

"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens: as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone. (..) It's often meant we have stood neutral between different values. And that's helped foster a narrative of extremism and grievance.
This Government will conclusively turn the page on this failed approach. As the party of one nation, we will govern as one nation, and bring our country together." -- PM Cameron

These words are capital and they sum up the screaming problem that ravages Her Majesty's country: the nation can't sit idly while her society crumbles before extremism, simply because she didn't have the fortitude to defend national values, culture and tradition. Tolerance is a pernicious word that eventually will erode our countries. Respect is preferable – and it is a two-way street.

PM Cameron stated that his government's new approach would be "actively promoting certain values: Freedom of speech. Freedom of worship. Democracy. The rule of law. Equal rights regardless of race, gender or sexuality. (..) We must say to our citizens: this is what defines us as a society. To belong here is to believe in these things." I believe I couldn't have said it better myself. We have to ask, however, what will happen to the nationals who might resist the government's new measures?

"And it means confronting head-on the poisonous Islamist extremist ideology. Whether they are violent in their means or not, we must make it impossible for the extremists to succeed." -- PM Cameron

The Conservative Party understood our message well (in Missionary, Political and Violent Activism: Pieces of Same Puzzle).

So here is the summary of the new plans to crackdown on Terror (source):

• Powers to close premises, including mosques, where extremists seek to influence others
• Banning Orders for extremist organisations who use hate speech in public places, but fall short of proscription
• New Extremism Disruption Orders to restrict people who seek to radicalise young people 
• Tougher powers for the Charity Commission to root out charities who misappropriate funds towards extremism and terrorism
• Toughening up immigration restrictions on extremists to prevent them entering the UK 
• Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom to have powers to block videos online.

Re-setting the EU

PM Cameron also announced that with the renewed mandate, bestowed upon him by the British electorate, he will start talks with the European Union in order to have some changes done:

• Ban migrants from claiming any benefits, including tax credits, for four years 
• Ban migrants from claiming child benefit for children living abroad (which currently costs around £30 million a year)
• Deportation of jobless migrants after six months
• Deportation of foreign criminals and prevent them from returning to Britain
• Barring migrants from the EU from qualifying for a council house until they have lived in the country for four years
• Seeking protections for the City, and new powers to allow national parliaments to work together to block unwanted laws from Brussels.

These measures are a step towards regaining British sovereignty. The Prime Minister is also seeking to change the EU Treaty, however this may prove more difficult to achieve as Germany sends signs of unwillingness to support such alteration – at least for the moment. Nevertheless, Premier Cameron and his Conservative ministers – in what can be a sign of future victories – managed to defeat the European Commission's proposal to invite the UK to receive 60,000 asylum seekers coming from across the Mediterranean (particularly now that an official in Libya has confirmed that ISIS militants are being smuggled into Europe to perpetrate Terrorist acts "in the future").

“The UK will not be bound by rules and laws to be proposed under European Agenda for Migration unless it opts-in.” -- Natasha Bertaud

May this be the first British victory of many. Hip-hip, Hurray!

We are counting on PM Cameron to reveal the same valour and political will when it comes to subjects intimately related to security threats, not only to the United Kingdom but also, to Europe.

Indubitably, off to a good start...let's see how it will all end.

(Image: Conservative Party Logo/BBC News)