BOURNEMOUTH, England (AFP) — The government pledged Thursday to work more closely with local communities to fight terrorism, reflecting a change of tone after ex-premier Tony Blair's hardline stance sparked Muslim anger.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith told the final day of the ruling Labour Party conference in Bournemouth that she wanted to safeguard values of tolerance, fair play and community cooperation.
"The free expression of these values is what we wish to protect," said Smith, who was thrust into the spotlight by terrorist attacks days after new Prime Minister Gordon Brown took office in June.
"And it's because we share these values that we will seek consensus on new measures to counter the threat of terrorism. At the same time, we will do more to support communities as they build understanding and prevent extremism."
Her comments came the day after one of her junior ministers suggested that a remark by Blair that "the rules of the game are changing," heralding a clampdown after 2005 London bombings, was a mistake.
Tony McNulty also described the phrase "war on terror" as "crass".
Smith, who had to deal with failed bombings in London and Glasgow days after taking office, picked up the thread by saying that Labour stood for values of "tolerance and freedom, fairness and respect, rights and responsibilities."
"Security is not an end in itself. It is the foundation of our values and of our lives together," she added.
Blair announced a toughened stance on extremism shortly after the July 7 2005 suicide bombings in London, when four suicide bombers killed 52 people on the capital's public transport system.
His government tried to extend the 14-day limit for holding terror suspects without charge to 90 days in November that year, but was defeated by lawmakers, who agreed to a 28-day limit.
Smith said that the government wanted to look again at extending the 28-day limit but would not push for a 90-day limit.
Smith was the last keynote speaker at the conference, which will close with an address by Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman.
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