"Labour MP worried that the 42 days will apply to more than just terrorists and asks Gordon Brown for assurance. Exceptional and grave terrorist threat. We all know that once on the statute book it could be extended - salami tactics..."
devils Kitchen makes a similar point but rather more deftly, well he had the time to consider his posting...:
"In the meantime, it seems that our government can't be entirely fucking brainless since they have learned, presumably from the EU, how the "ratchet" mechanism works. After all, once you can hold anyone for any length of time without charge, it isn't really a further assault on civil liberties, eh?
I mean, you've already surrendered the absolute principle, so 72 hours is fine, yes?
Oh, we'd like 14 days: what's that? An assault on civil liberties? Well, surely if civil liberties were so important, you wouldn't have allowed us 72 hours. After all, it's the principle that counts, eh?
Come to think of it, 28 days would be far better; yes, 28 days with the option to extend it further if a judge agrees. What? No, come on: don't pull that civil liberties schtick again; not after you let us have 14 days.
Of course, if we could just have 42 days and make the order scrutinised by Parliament, not the judges, that would be even better. Well, come on: you really cannot bleat about civil liberties at this stage...
You see? A ratchet effect: it always goes forward into more illiberal territory, and never back again."
The ratchet effect, the salami slice - all favourite EU tactics, now copied by our Labour government.
See the "Yes Prime Minister" episode called "The Grand Design" for the (I believe) original usage of the phrase "salami tactics". The argument ran something like:
The matter under discussion was a hypothetical Russian invasion of Western Europe and when would Jim Hacker (the fictional Prime Minister) press the red button. The idea being that you would only press the nuclear trigger if you have no choice - but salami tactics mean you are never in the position where you clearly have no choice. The Russians would take a small slice at a time via dubious but not too provocative measures until the whole salami is gone.
The original examples ran:
G=General
P=Prime Minister, James 'Jim' Hacker
"G - ...if they try anything, it will be salami tactics.
P - Salami tactics?
G - Slice by slice. One small piece at a time. So will you press the button if they invade West Berlin?
P - It all depends.
G - On what?
Scenario one.
Riots in West Berlin, buildings in flames.
East German fire brigade crosses the border to help. Would you press the button...?
The East German police come with them. The button...?
Then some troops, more troops just for riot control, they say.
And then the East German troops are replaced by Russian troops. Button...?
Then the Russian troops don't go.
They are invited to stay to support civilian administration.
The civilian administration closes roads and Tempelhof Airport.
Now you press the button?
P - I need time to think about it.
G - You have 12 hours.
P - Have I?
...
G - Scenario two.
The Russian army accidentally on purpose cross the West German frontier.
Is that the last resort?
P - No.
G - Right, scenario three.
Suppose the Russians have invaded West Germany, Belgium, Holland, France?
Suppose their tanks and troops have reached the English Channel and are poised to invade?
Is that the last resort?
P - No.
Why not?
We'd only fight a nuclear war to defend ourselves. That would be committing suicide!
So what is the last resort? Piccadilly? Watford Gap service station? The Reform Club?"
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