Historic Decision

9.16.56am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 28th Feb 2005

Speaking to party members in Wool on Friday night Graham Oakes described the governments attempt to bring in house arrest at the discretion of a Home Secretary as the "biggest threat to our rights for centuries".

"We need to take all necessary measures to protect ourselves from the threat of terrorists; however these draconian powers not only give away a right of British subjects enjoyed for hundreds of years, but also alter the relationship between parliament and the judiciary."

"The people who will be happiest about these proposals, should they become law, are the terrorists. Infringing human rights, particularly of minority groups, will make it far easier for them to recruit."

"It is vital for all our sakes that the government agree to the Lib Dem proposals".