Changing our lives is victory for terrorists, says Nigel Hastilow
The Manchester slaughter of the innocents at an Ariana Grande concert has been followed by all the usual messages of defiance as everybody says we will not let terrorists win.
The hideous truth, though, is that every murder of this kind hands a series of mini-victories to the mad fundamentalists, however much we may protest to the contrary.
Theresa May seemed to acknowledge this when she said: “At terrible times like this it is customary for leaders, politicians and others to condemn the perpetrators and say that the terrorists will not win.”
Yes, it is customary. That doesn’t make it true, it just means we expect to hear such comforting platitudes.
The reality is our world changes with every outrage.
For a start, there’s the extra security. Of course it is necessary. Occasionally – and occasionally is often enough to justify it – bag checks and body searches really do prevent a murderer from carrying out his plans.
Every airport queue or delay getting into a concert or a football match is justified by the need to combat terrorism.
We should at least admit to ourselves that previous outrages have, indeed, changed our way of life.
Every time we hesitate before we go to a big event, or worry about taking the train into town to go shopping, is a small win for evil.
