Not that we really needed any more confirmation

but it is nice to know that it's not just us plebes who know.

Britain’s catastrophic failure to deal with the issue of terrorism and extremism is of the highest importance.

and this not from some crazed BNP-sympathizing blogger camped out in the remote hills of Wales.

Nonetheless, the suggestion from Gwyn Prins, Professor at the London School of Economics and Robert Salisbury, the Marquess of Salisbury and a Privy Councillor,

(as well as Sir Mark Allen, Vice Admiral Sir Jeremy Blackham, Chris Donnelly, Field Marshal the Lord Inge, Tom Kremer, Lord Leach, Baroness Park of Monmouth, Douglas Slater, General Sir Rupert Smith, and Professor Hew Strachan)

that the problem is the government's insane and suicidal dedication to multiculturalism, has (to no one's surprise) been firmly rejected by the same government.

A government spokesman said the findings "do not stand up to scrutiny," adding: "The government rejects any suggestion that Britain is a soft touch for terrorists."

"We have a detailed and robust strategy for countering international terrorism and by establishing the Office of Security and Counter Terrorism we have ensured that our policy is better co-ordinated than ever.

"The government firmly rejects the claim that the United Kingdom is a fragmented society," he added.

What.

A.

Shock.

* ~ * ~ *

The electorate is uncertain and anxious. People feel uncertainty about military adventures overseas which have cost many lives and have pushed our armed forces to the limits. They are worried about security at home since the successful terrorist attack of 7/7, the similar attack a fortnight later which was only averted by the incompetence of its perpetrators, and the narrowly preempted attacks on planes in 2006. In the summer of 2007, there were also carbomb attempts at Glasgow airport and in the West End of London. The ‘war on terror’ is with us now in all its ugliness. Both current military operations and the war on terror together raise a deeper point.

Is there any longer a clear distinction between being at war and not being at war? A declaration of war is almost inconceivable today, and yet both our defence and security services are in action against active forces, abroad and at home, at this moment.

The electorate sees this paradox. It also worries about the way we were committed to war, especially in Iraq, and about Washington’s sway and leadership. But equally, the electorate is disturbed by an undertow of doubt about the wider muddling of political
responsibilities between Westminster and Brussels.
...

linked to these changes is a loss in the United Kingdom of confidence in our own identity, values, constitution and institutions. ‘This England that was wont political identity. That fragmentation is worsened by the firm self-image of those elements within it who refuse to integrate. This is a problem worsened by the lack of leadership from the majority which in mis-placed deference to ‘multiculturalism’ failed to lay down the line to immigrant communities, thus undercutting those within them trying to fight extremism. The country’s lack of self confidence is in stark contrast to the implacability of its Islamist terrorist enemy, within and without.

‘This England that was wont to conquer others’, wrote Shakespeare, ‘hath made a shameful conquest of itself.’ This is one of the main factors which have precipitated risks into threats. As long as it persists, it will have the power to do so again.

Islamist terrorism is where people tend to begin. The United Kingdom presents itself as a target, as a fragmenting, post-Christian society, increasingly divided about interpretations of its history, about its national aims, its values and in its political identity. That fragmentation is worsened by the firm self-image of those elements within it who refuse to integrate. This is a problem worsened by the lack of leadership from the majority which in mis-placed deference to ‘multiculturalism’ failed to lay down the line to immigrant communities, thus undercutting those within them trying to fight extremism.

The country’s lack of self confidence is in stark contrast to the implacability of its Islamist terrorist enemy, within and without.