DAILY MAIL COMMENT: MPs must stand up to the Islamist threat

Within hours of escaping death in the IRA’s 1984 bombing of Brighton’s Grand Hotel, Margaret Thatcher gave a defiant and stirring speech.

‘All attempts to destroy democracy through terrorism,’ the then prime minister thundered, ‘will fail’.

Her determination to stand up for what was right in the face of intimidation stands in stark contrast to the cravenness of some of our current parliamentarians.

Sir Keir Starmer is a prime example. He aspires to lead Britain and yet capitulates to a pro-Palestinian mob, persuading the Speaker to overturn Commons procedures over fears that extremists might attack MPs who do not toe their line on Gaza.

Harriet Harman, a Labour grandee, is the latest to cave in to these fanatics. She makes the extraordinary suggestion that MPs should be allowed to work from home because of the risk of reprisals.

Pictured: Protestors waving flags during a march for Palestine in London on February 17

This would make them even more remote from the people they are paid to serve.

That isn’t democracy. It is placating a violent, intolerant rabble who seek to undermine the values and restrict the freedom for which Britain is renowned.

By proposing that MPs further remove themselves from public life, Ms Harman has underlined the scale of the threat posed by Muslim militants. In doing so, she is acknowledging the broader sentiment behind Lee Anderson’s unacceptable and unjustified remarks that London Mayor Sadiq Khan is ‘controlled’ by Islamists.

The point is that having spread hate and division on our streets with virtual impunity, pro-Palestine protesters are stepping up the campaign of harassment, abuse and intimidation to place pressure on politicians. This Islamist thuggery is weakening our democratic institutions when we most need them to be robust.

Yet each time it raises its ugly head, our leaders choose to ignore it. The political class (especially Labour), the BBC and the commentariat are more comfortable discussing ‘Islamophobia’ in the Tory party than confronting the danger Islamism poses to our society. That must change.

It is also time politicians displayed the courage the people they represent deserve, and show they will not be intimidated.

In the aftermath of the Brighton bombing, Mrs Thatcher said politicians should ‘never be stopped from going among the people by a few men of violence’.

‘Democracy would not be able to continue… that is what they want.’ Her words ring as true today as they did 40 years ago.

The fight for defence

Scrimping on the defence of the realm is a dangerously false economy.

If our security is compromised because of chronic under-funding, then all other areas of national life are imperilled.

So the news that Jeremy Hunt is said to be refusing to increase military spending in the Budget is deeply troubling.

With the nation’s finances under enormous strain, the Chancellor plans to prioritise tax cuts to grow the economy over public sector splurges. While that will be welcomed by hard-pressed families and business, we urgently need to invest more in defence.

Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt attends a session on Artificial Intelligence during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos on January 18, 2024

The darkening of the geopolitical outlook – Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East – has put a new lens on decades of Britain’s shrinking military.

Yes, Mr Hunt gave the MoD an extra £11billion last year. But our forces are smaller and less ready to fight than at any time in history. A country with a global role – in Nato and in partnership with allies – needs a military to match. That means more troops, ships, guns and aircraft.

There must be plenty of cash, for instance in the bloated foreign aid pot, that could be better utilised keeping Britain safe.

It must be found and it must be spent wisely. It is no good waiting until we are on the brink of war to realise our security and future depend on being better prepared.