Youthkip UOM Acting Chairman Tom Hughes has condemned the Government's decision to press ahead with a Bill which would allow terror suspects to be detained for up to 90 days without charge, and has said that it is exactly this type of tactic that is turning young voters away from politics.
The Bill will be presented to Parliament on Wednesday, and is just the latest in a long line of authoritarian minded laws to be introduced by the Government on the pretext of "fighting terrorism."
"Most young people have a strong sense of justice and fair play," Hughes said. "When they see the Government doing things like this in their name, it makes them very angry."
The new law would mean that someone suspected of terrorism could be held, without any proof or even evidence, for up to three months. This would most likely mean the loss of their livelihood, would have massive implications for family and dependents, and would, if they were not already planning an atrocity, encourage them to do so.
"It is a real shame that the Government has so few ideas that they have to resort to this kind of tactic," continued Hughes. "No wonder many young voters are turning to parties like UKIP who are prepared to stand up for their liberties and freedoms."
