The general election in the West Country: the issues >>> security

The issue of 'security' is very high on the agenda in the run up to Thursday's general election.

The immediate concern is whether there are threats of further attacks. Devon and Cornwall Police are reassuring people that there is no risk:
‘Remain calm but stay alert’ Devon told after London terror attack - Breaking news & sport in Sidmouth | Sidmouth Herald
Police say no 'heightened risk' to Devon following London attack | Devon Live

However, there is huge political fallout from the Manchester and London attacks - and the question is to what extent this will impact on the general election both nationally and locally.

The police in the West Country have been quick to respond - demanding more resources:
Devon chief constable calls for more policing resources in response to London terror attacks | Devon Live
Devon and Cornwall Chief Constable calls for more police resource after latest terror attack | West Country - ITV News

Local politicians have been non-partisan in their response to events:
MPs in Devon pay tribute to emergency services and victims after Westminster terror attacks

However, other local politicians have not been so non-partisan:
Councillor defends tweet calling Corbyn a ‘terrorist lover' following London attack | Devon Live

Nationally, there has been a lot of extremely tense debate on the issues - and the press has not always been partisan in its reporting.

There is the question of Corbyn's 'relationship' with the IRA:
BBC Question Time special: Jeremy Corbyn heckled over Trident and IRA - Telegraph
Exclusive: MI5 opened file on Jeremy Corbyn amid concerns over his IRA links - Telegraph
We need to re-examine Corbyn's so-called 'dangerous friendships' | openDemocracy
If Jeremy Corbyn was wrong on Northern Ireland, so was Nelson Mandela - New Statesman

There is the question of May's 'involvement' with Libyan jihadists:
Rebels 'went to Libya with MI5 blessing' amid Abedi probe | Daily Mail Online
The Libya fallout shows how Theresa May has failed on terror | Paul Mason | Opinion | The Guardian
Keeping Secrets: Theresa May, Manchester and the Corporate Media - BSNEWS
Libyan fighters freely operated under Theresa May's watch as Home Secretary | The Canary
TERROR IN BRITAIN: WHAT DID THE PRIME MINISTER KNOW? - John Pilger

And there is the question of the right resources for the security services:
Did the Conservatives really cut the police and make us less safe from terror attacks? | The Independent
Jeremy Corbyn calls for Theresa May to resign as Prime Minister for presiding over police cuts while Home Secretary | The Independent
'This is not a pub quiz': Karen Bradley refuses to answer Piers Morgan's question about police cuts - Telegraph
Watch: Karen Bradley refuses to answer question over armed police numbers | Coffee House - Spectator

Meanwhile, the BBC gives us a less heated overview:
General election 2017: Where UK's parties stand on security - BBC News

Although the leading protagonists are still getting very heated:
Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May clash over security - BBC News

Back in these parts, the East Devon Watch blog has been asking some questions of the constituency's standing MP:
Terrorism, Saudi Arabia and Swire – a complex relationship | East Devon Watch

Whilst the Liberal Democrat candidate for East Devon has called on the Conservative candidate to back protests against proposed cuts to the Royal Marines at Lympstone:
Future of Royal Marines raised in East Devon election campaign - Breaking news & sport in Sidmouth | Sidmouth Herald
Futures Forum: The general election in East Devon > the candidates, the campaigns

As the defence industry is an important part of the local economy:
The general election and defence in Devon and Cornwall | Devon Live
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