In May Last Year ...

... I noted that a Government committee met to discuss "draft a plan to tackle the roots of Islamic terrorism in Britain."

Sone of the cabinet documents are now available via the Sunday Times.

Also in the ST, a piece by Janice Turner which addresses a few uncomfortable realities.

More uncomfortable realities at the Social Affairs Unit.

For four years now, Londonders have had a reprieve from direct involvement in the war on terror. Sure, they often emoted on the streets about how "upset" and "concerned" they were about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (which affected their daily lives not a jot), but the war had not come to them. Our media and government got lazy (though not - it should be noted - our superb intelligence or emergency services) and gave larger and larger megaphones to those who hate us and those who defend those who hate us.

So we breed Asif Mohammed Hanif and Omar Khan Sharif in our midst, two young men who go out to Tel Aviv and blow up Jews in the name of jihad. And what do we do at home? Nothing. We breed Omar Sheikh in our midst and send him to the LSE: he graduates to Pakistan and saws the head of Daniel Pearl. And what do we do at home? Nothing.

Nothing is done about the unknown number of fighters who have left Britain to go to Iraq and Afghanistan to murder members of our armed forces. Nothing is done about those who encourage them to do this. Nothing is done about the countless number of young Muslims who go around with pictures of Westerners being decapitated on their cell-phones or questions where their allegiances may really lie. Nothing is done about those who act as apologists for the terrorists, or who pretend to condemn crimes against British people, but seem to believe that Jews can be blown up without remorse. Indeed, so unperturbed are we by our position as a centre from which terrorists are sent out to kill and maim Americans, Jews and our own British soldiers, that we even invite one of the men who acts as their greatest inspiration - not simply into the city which has now been bombed, but give him the full red-carpet honoured-guest treatment.

Of course the problem with 'doing something' is that, as the BBC never tires of repeating, that's what bin Laden wants. By 'doing something' we radicalise young Muslims, are percieved as attacking Islam - thereby only making more trouble for ourselves. "Don't be nasty to them - you'll only make them angry".

So I imagine the Government response will be to

a) remove more freedoms from the whole population, spun as the 'shared price we pay for defending a free society'. Those who object will be presented as objectively pro-terrorist.

b) up the apology and breast-beating

c) zilch - the 'we'll muddle through somehow' response'. Immigration to continue unchecked.