Labour 'must avoid fear campaign'

Tough measures will allow a positive campaign, Mr Blunkett will say

Labour's campaign at the next general election must be based on hope, not fear, the home secretary told a Labour gathering on Saturday.

But David Blunkett emphasised that tough security measures were needed if people were to feel safe.

Labour must "promote our policies by persuasion, not panic", he told political think tank Progress.

Plans for ID cards and enhanced border security are part of moves to prevent such panic, he said.

We want to win an election based on hope, not fear David Blunkett Listen to David Blunkett on the BBC's Today Programme

He said people were more insecure since 11 September and the government needed to provide "stability and security" to be "able to create a civilised, caring and compassionate society".

"People do not open their hearts and minds and hear messages, particularly progressive messages, if underpinning that, subliminally, is a fear of what's happening around them.

"So, we want to win an election based on hope, not fear, but knowing that you don't give people hope by dismissing their fears," he will say.

'Pre-emptive security'

He described Labour's measures as sensible and pre-emptive, rather than draconian as critics have said.

"They are pre-emptive in the sense that we live in a rapidly changing world where people's fears are greater, not just in terms of terrorism, but fear in their own neighbourhood and community," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"We've been able to establish stability and security in terms of the economy and people's economic family life.

"We need to be able to do that in their immediate environment, internationally and in dealing with terrorism."

He said fear had grown during Labour's time in office because of rapid economic and social change, as well as the ability to instantly see images and information from around the world due to modern technology.

"My job is to enable us to win the election, whenever is it, based on optimism, not fear because we can point sensibly and calmly to the measures we are taking to enhance our security and strengthen our borders," he told the annual conference of Progress.

He warned in his speech that centre left governments which have failed to take security seriously have been swept away across Europe, "most notably in France".

Identity cards

He defended plans to introduce identity cards, saying they would replace a "muddled system" that could easily be duplicated and flawed.

The cards would keep track of who was in the country, who was allowed access to services and employment, as well as allowing security services and police to use the information "sensitively", he said.

But Liberal Democrats home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten said identity cards were a red herring which would not prevent terrorist attacks.

He said the government was nervous of being accused of playing the terror card to win votes.