Between reactionary party politics and the return of terror, 2015 has got off to dangerous beginnings. What’s more, David Cameron seeks to further curtail civil liberties in the name of security. While mainstream UK parties trade insults, voters look to alternatives; and in addition to previous kneejerk terror legislation, the imposition of a UK “snoopers’ charter” announced this week could further erode our long held principles of freedom.

As Prime Minister, Tony Blair embraced the moral high ground whilst his Tory rivals helplessly sniped from the side-lines. He understood the electorate, and recognised that society craves to be inspired. Today, despite talk of promoting a “big society” or “responsible capitalism” by Cameron and Ed Miliband, in the absence of reasoned debate less voters seem to know what, if anything grand, the two main parties actually stand for.

One only ought to look at Norway’s recent sentencing of mass murderer Anders Breivik to appreciate the importance of confronting terror without adversely changing society. America, going too far to retrieve intelligence post-9/11, has pitted itself against diplomatic allies as well as terror suspects. Following last week’s tragedy in France, David Cameron’s plans to ban the availability of certain technologies and limit rights demonstrate how easy it can be for the state to take away such things; but giving them back is another matter.

Today, in the run-up to an unpredictable general election and in the face of the threat of terrorism, keeping the moral high ground and maintaining courage to do the right thing and to go about our usual business has never been more important. In politics it is important to inspire, just as it is important in the face of terror to live life in the absence of fear. Without this, we risk compromising not just our rights but our peace of mind.