Politics: Tony Blair, Insiders Say, Is Considering Delaying the Election until Autumn 2005 or Even Spring 2006 So That He Can First Push the EU Constitution through Parliament

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Over the past few days the British have been told that they are about to be bombed, about to be swamped and about to lose the country they love. Rarely has a political landscape appeared so grim, so untrue (perhaps with the exception of threat Number One) and rarely has it been so debilitating to good government. All the concerns have something to do with foreigners.

The arrest of eight men on 30 March and the seizure of more than half a tonne of ammonium nitrate fertiliser have revived fears that London is next in line for a terrorist spectacular. That the suspects are believed to be of Pakistani descent has reinforced a suspicion among many towards Muslims and a feeling among Muslims themselves that they are being victimised. Even …