British Want Security Over Rights

(London) "Almost three quarters of Britons are willing to give up some civil liberties in return for better security, according to a poll conducted since the deadly bombings on London's transit system last month.

The ICM poll published on Monday in The Guardian newspaper showed that 73% of respondents backed the trade-off, with only 17% rejecting it outright.

The results suggest the British public largely backs a range of anti-terrorism measures proposed by Prime Minister Tony Blair's government, including a new offence of inciting terrorism and deporting radical clerics who glorify acts of violence."...

Blair's position is popular:

Sixty-eight per cent of interviewees also backed extending from two weeks to three months the length of time a suspected terrorist can be held without charge, as requested by British police chiefs.

The poll also shows that Blair's popularity rating has risen.

He is now narrowly into positive figures, with 47% of respondents satisfied with his performance as prime minister, and 45%, not.

In a similar poll conducted in January, 38% were satisfied and 50% were not. More...