NEXT week in the House of Commons a crucial vote will take place on the security of our country. The Labour Government proposes to introduce a power to extend detention before charge, in exceptional circumstances and only with the approval of a judge, from the present limit of 28 days to up to 42 days.

Mr Peter Clarke, until recently head of Scotland Yard's counter terrorism unit, said this week that "the terrorist threat is growing in scale and complexity". He explained how during one investigation his officers had had to sleep on the office floor for a fortnight because they were in a race against time imposed by the limit that was in place at the time and that they had been "minutes away from having to release a group of terrorists".

I do not believe it is right or sensible for our police officers to have to conduct critical investigations under these conditions. It is understandable that the power to extend detention is supported by the five most senior anti-terrorist police officers in the country.

I believe there are, essentially, three reasons why such an extension is the right thing to do. Firstly, the nature of the terrorism we face means that when arrests are made there are often international links. Leads need to be followed up and information obtained from overseas.

Secondly, we know that the internet and new technology more generally is a key weapon in terrorist communication. Often when arrests are made computers are seized with encrypted files which can take time to break down. There can be huge amounts of information stored electronically and in different languages that need to be examined.

Thirdly, the advent of suicide bombers changes the character of the terrorism we face compared to the past. Where suicide bombers may be involved, the police and intelligence services often cannot take the risk of allowing a plot to develop in order to develop further leads. They have to intervene and make arrests earlier in the process.

We saw the damage that terrorism can do in the bombings on the London Underground on 7th July 2005, the attempted bombings on 21st July 2005 and a number of plots both in the UK and around the world since then.

I don't believe the introduction of the new power the government seeks is against the interest of any part of our community. We know the terrorism we face has no compunction about killing people of all colours and faiths. Therefore it is in the interests of people of all colours and faiths to fight it. And the first duty of any government is to protect the public.

The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are opposed to this new power and intend to vote against it. They must answer for their own position, but I hope you support my stance as your local MP in voting for this power to protect the public and give the police and security services the powers they need in confronting the danger we face.