Information & Support for Door Supervisors - National Doorwatch

Given the forthcoming Olympic year: Can the Home Secretary continue to function effectively in the role, given her apparent lack of knowledge/control over the the safety of the nation?

Is the time right for the Conservatives to replace Theresa May with a Libdem sacrificial lamb at the Home Office?

The UK Border Agency fiasco is a perfect illustration of why Ms May should resign.  This debacle has now handed fundamentalist of all persuasions, the ammunition they need to recruit new members to their cause.  What is absolutely staggering, is the fact the security and safety of the country are being sold down the river, by a Conservative led coalition.  The equivalent action for Labour would be to sell off the NHS.  It is just insane and goes way beyond their ideological imperative of cutting costs –whatever the cost.

Scant disregard for public safety in 2012

This total disregard for public safety is further epitomised by the Home Office stopping legislation, which directly impacts on the safety of the general public.  As of May 2011 the previous administration had intended to bring in mandatory “top-up” training for security operatives.  This specifically included training in counter-terrorism, and first aid.  Implementing this would have been good for public safety in any circumstances, and especially in the upcoming Olympic year.  Yet, it has been postponed, against advice. Why, because it is seen as adding unnecessary regulation onto industry.  So, once again it is the pockets of the predator companies which must be protected, rather than the safety and well being of their employees or the public.

The Olympic sized threat from within

2012 will bring the most prolonged threat to the safety of the public since the World War II.  We already know there are people in our own country, who would seek to promote their cause through civil disruption, strikes, or terrorism.  We already know we are an island, and thereby vulnerable to the civil disputes, strikes, in other countries.   All of this is well known, and well documented.  Yet despite the overwhelming case for a robust approach to security during this period; the government is choosing to abdicate its responsibilities and leave itl to market forces.  As a consequence the Olympics, is rapidly turning into once in a life-time opportunity for greed and politics to flourish, at the expense of the public safety. 

Fiddling while London burns - again

The Home Offices current approach to securing the Olympics is similar, to its attitude to securing our borders, or our streets. It is narrow, short-sighted, and inherently dangerous!  Civil Service officials and others have been warning the Home Office on this subject since this Government took office.  Unless there is a rapid u-turn in current policy, a catastrophe is more rather than less likely.  I can already hear the new Prime Minister, saying the usual political platitudes and excuses following such events  

“The investigation is complete.  Mistakes were made, and the people responsible have been moved on.  Steps have been taken to ensure a tragedy like this can never happen again.  It’s now time to put this behind us and move on as a stronger - more united - kingdom.”

So whilst the time has definitely arrived for Ms May to move on; for the future preservation of the Conservative party; should a Libdem be made ready for the slaughter?