Liberties lost or better Britain?

Smoking banned, identity cards on their way and "glorification" of terrorism outlawed. Do you think MPs are striking the right balance between personal liberty and protecting the public? Take this test to see where you might stand:

1. MPs have voted for a ban on smoking in all enclosed public spaces, including all pubs and clubs in England. Choose the option below which best matches your view:

A) The smoking ban is an infringement of civil liberties

B) I believe a total smoking ban protects non-smokers from the effects of others' smoke

2. The government believes a nationwide identity card scheme will help control immigration, fight terrorism and cut identity fraud. Opponents say the scheme will lead to more stop and searches of ethnic minorities, will cost too much and point to a history of botched government computer projects to suggest it may make identity fraud worse.

A) I am against compulsory ID cards - it is another step towards a Big Brother state

B) I am in favour of compulsory ID cards - only those who have something to hide are against them

3. The new licensing laws, which allow pubs to apply for permission to sell alcohol round the clock and which give police more powers to close down premises, have been attacked for encouraging drunken anti-social behaviour. Those in favour argue that staggered closing times can reduce late night violence and help change the binge-drinking culture:

A) I think 24 hour drinking laws are a good idea

B) I think 24 hour drinking laws are a bad idea

4. The government wants to ban the "glorification" of terror to plug gaps in incitement laws, so it can tackle people doing things like celebrating the 7 July bombings. Opponents argue existing laws on incitement should be properly enforced instead and say glorification would have meant anyone praising Nelson Mandela in the 1980s would have been breaking the law.

A) I am against a new law banning the glorification of terror

B) I am in favour of a new law banning the glorification of terror

5. Fox hunting - a barbaric practice that should have been outlawed a long time ago or a traditional way of life that helps control a pest and harms nobody? More than a year after the ban debate still rages.

A) I believe fox hunting should be legalised

B) I am in favour of the ban on fox hunting continuing

6. MPs voted last year to extend the detention of terror suspects without trial to 28 days. The government had wanted 90 days.

A) I believe 28 days is too long to detain anyone without trial - regardless of what they are alleged to have done

B) If the police want more time to question terror suspects they should be given it. The public needs to be protected

7. Last December's conviction of a man for the murder of a City banker John Monckton was the first high profile case in which a defendant's previous bad character had been used against him in court. The change in the law allowing this was hugely controversial among lawyers.

A) A fair trial is not possible if the jury is told about the defendant's previous bad character

B) It is only fair for juries be told of the defendant's record to help them make an informed judgement

8. The police have started using number plate recognition technology to track stolen cars. In future the technology could be used to for a national road pricing scheme, like London's congestion charge.

A) I don't want my movements tracked - whatever the alleged benefits

B) I'm fine with number plate recognition if it cuts crime and congestion

9. Using a mobile phone while driving has been outlawed since 2003 in a bid to cut accidents and save lives - but research suggests up to a quarter of drivers regularly ignore the ban.

A) I think the mobile ban was a bad idea

B) I think the mobile ban was a good idea

10. Several people have been arrested outside Parliament for protesting there since doing so without permission became a criminal offence in August.

A) I believe the protest ban is a worrying infringement of free speech

B) I think it is a sensible precaution in light of the current terror threat

How did you do?

Score one point for every answer B.

0 - 3 - You are a libertarian at heart, and not a fan of the "nanny state".

4 - 6 - Many of these changes worry you - your score reflects the fact that there is a difficult balance between individual rights and responsibilities.

7 - 9 - You broadly back moves by the state to protect its citizens, although you have concerns freedom is being eroded in some areas.

10 - You think the government's got the balance just about right - apart from on 24 hour drinking.