Most Britons expect an attack

[Donut]

As I type this the London Underground system is being evacuated


Most people believe Britain is bound to face terror attack
By Peter Riddell


WARNINGS about a terrorist atrocity in Britain have led to a large majority of the population believing that an attack is inevitable, a Times poll shows.

However, only a tiny minority of people have altered their plans or normal routines because of the possible threat.

A Populus poll for today’s Times, undertaken at the weekend, shows that the public has an attitude of robust fatalism about the possibility of an al-Qaeda attack in Britain.

Tony Blair’s plans to speed up the introduction of compulsory ID cards received a boost as the poll showed that 72 per cent of people believe that the “introduction of compulsory ID would significantly help to combat the threat of a terrorist attack in Britain”. Only 15 per cent disagree strongly.

David Blunkett will publish a draft identity card Bill this month, with support highest among Labour voters (80 per cent) and the working class (77 per cent), and lowest (68 per cent) among professionals and managers and Liberal Democrat voters, the poll shows.

Over-65s are much more strongly in favour of ID cards than any other age group.

About 73 per cent of people interviewed regard it as “inevitable” that Britain would suffer a major terrorist attack by al-Qaeda “before long”.

However, a mere 12 per cent say that they have “changed any plans or normal routines when it comes to things such as travel, holidays or trips to Central London as a result of the possible threat of a terrorist attack on Britain”, while 88 per cent have not.

Voters in London and the South East, where there are many potential terrorist targets, are no more likely than those in other regions to have changed their plans, but people in the 25-44 age range are more likely than others to have changed plans.

There is a widespread view, shared by 80 per cent of voters, that “Muslim leaders in Britain should do more to root out and condemn terrorist sympathisers in their commu- nities”. The poll was under- taken after the arrest last week of nine people under the Terrorism Act and the letter warning against extremists sent by Muslim leaders to mosques.

A narrow majority (51 to 43 per cent) rejects the proposition that “British troops should be withdrawn from Iraq to try to dissuade al-Qaeda from a major attack on us”.

There is a gender gap on what may be called the Spanish option. Men strongly disagree (by 61 to 36 per cent), but women favour withdrawal (by 49 to 41 per cent). This ties in with the greater hostility to the Iraq war among women than men. Majorities of both younger people and pension- ers also favour withdrawal.

Nearly two thirds of voters (65 per cent) believe that the fact that Britain has not had a terrorist attack “is a tribute to our anti-terrorist police”.

A slightly higher percentage, 71 per cent, believe that “an attack on Britain by al-Qaeda would be further evidence of why we have to wage war against terrorism”.

These two propositions receive widespread backing from all social and political groups.


Populus interviewed 1,045 adults aged over 18 by telephone between April 2 and 4.

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LOL - robust fatalism, that sums me up to a T!! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[wellard]

Oh Gawd not Id cards [img]graemlins/idontagreeatall.gif[/img] why oh why oh why do we have to suffer control and restrictions like this? Why not just cut to the chase and paint the star of david or crescent on people! (sarcasm)

Even in the dark days of the IRA murders we never bowed to terrorists like this. Regarding the London Underground system being evacuated, my thoughts are with you all

[Donut]

Originally posted by wellard: Oh Gawd not Id cards [img]graemlins/idontagreeatall.gif[/img] why oh why oh why do we have to suffer control and restrictions like this? Why not just cut to the chase and paint the star of david or crescent on people! (sarcasm) Even in the dark days of the IRA murders we never bowed to terrorists like this. Regarding the London Underground system being evacuated, my thoughts are with you all

False alarm - this happens quite often. Some unthinking tourist leaving his backpack lying about. There's a marked increase in the number of police at rail/tube stations. Loudspeaker announcements at regular intervals telling us to be vigilant and not to leave bags lying about.

I'm not happy about the ID cards but it looks as if it's only a matter of time. I guess I'll get over it.

[Melusine]

Yeah, that phrase immediately struck me as well: robust fatalism. [img]smile.gif[/img]
Man, I sooo hope you are all wrong, even though I know how real the threat is.
BTW, we have been having lots of false alarms too in recent weeks; the Amsterdam and Utrecht Central Stations have been evacuated several times due to stupid people or pranksters leaving stuff unattended. Only difference is that a. you have been used to the threat of terrorism for a long time and b. the current threat is more serious and real for you because of the Gulf War 2 connection. Anyway I keep my fingers crossed all the time mate.

[Yorick]

Originally posted by Donut: False alarm - this happens quite often. Some unthinking tourist leaving his backpack lying about.

Probably an Australian....

Really sorry you're going through this Donut, Sarah.

All I can offer, is that during the times in NYC when public expectation of an attack has been highest, I've consciously resolved not to give in to fear - whatever than means, or takes, for it's all personal. That's meant not altering plans out of fear of death or whatever.

I've tried to follow this idea.

LIVE AS THOUGH EACH DAY IS YOUR LAST, BUT PLAN AS THOUGH YOU'LL LIVE FOREVER

There's more likelyhood of dying in a car accident. I'm sure you're familiar with all that (Fred), from the IRA troubles, but just thought I'd throw that in.

Be safe

H

[Yorick]

Oh yeah, and I have no fear of death.

"Where oh death is your victory, where oh death is your sting".

[wellard]

Originally posted by Donut: quote: Originally posted by wellard: Oh Gawd not Id cards [img]graemlins/idontagreeatall.gif[/img] why oh why oh why do we have to suffer control and restrictions like this? Why not just cut to the chase and paint the star of david or crescent on people! (sarcasm) Even in the dark days of the IRA murders we never bowed to terrorists like this. Regarding the London Underground system being evacuated, my thoughts are with you all

I'm not happy about the ID cards but it looks as if it's only a matter of time. I guess I'll get over it. [/QUOTE]So why accept them? How does that stop a terrorist? "Ok pc plod, do you want to see my fake ID?"

I’ve got a Jewish surname on my ID card and the policeman has a 'thing' about Jews. (example)

"I’ve got an address on my ID card that shows I live in a protestant housing estate, I hope that you don’t detain me for a few hours because you have a chip on your shoulder officer."

Wonders if the bombers in Spain had ID's on them? And how did that alter the course of events?

Just because we are living in darker times we don't have to accept crap like ID cards. And just for reference, those of you who saw my post regarding my future trip to the USA last month or so ago may like to know that I now will not be going due to the new requirement that all Australian visitors will be fingerprinted and photo taken in a few months time. I will visit somewhere that treats visitors with more respect.

[Illumina Drathiran'ar]

::raises hand:: Didn't the 9/11 hijackers have ID?

[Yorick]

Originally posted by wellard: And just for reference, those of you who saw my post regarding my future trip to the USA last month or so ago may like to know that I now will not be going due to the new requirement that all Australian visitors will be fingerprinted and photo taken in a few months time. I will visit somewhere that treats visitors with more respect.

I've been finger printed (twice), photographed (thrice) and handcuffed (once) when entering the United States.

[Skunk]

Originally posted by wellard: So why accept them? How does that stop a terrorist? "Ok pc plod, do you want to see my fake ID?" I’ve got a Jewish surname on my ID card and the policeman has a 'thing' about Jews. (example) "I’ve got an address on my ID card that shows I live in a protestant housing estate, I hope that you don’t detain me for a few hours because you have a chip on your shoulder officer."

And in many EU countries, few women will carry one because (as has happened many times in the past), rapists will steal them from them after the act with the kindly words of:
Now me and friends will know your face, name and address. Report this and you *will* suffer the consequences

Then there have been numerous instances of the ID cards being forged or obtained with false or STOLEN documents. ID theft is real a pain to the victim. And they havn't decreased crime in the slightest - but they have increased RED TAPE to ridiculous levels. You can't open a bank account or take out a mortgate here without having one...