Just days after kissing goodbye to the Lib Dem coalition and forming the first all-Tory government since 1992, David Cameron will today announce controversial plans to fast-track new powers to tackle radicalisation that were blocked by Nick Clegg's party in the last government.
The Prime Minister is expected to set out his intention to include a new counter-extremism bill in his Queen's Speech later this month as he chairs the first meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) since the Tories' election victory.
Planned measures include introducing new orders to ban extremist organisations and restrict people who seek to radicalise youngsters.
The proposals will aim to crack down on preachers like Abu Hamza, as well as the sort of radicalisation which led Mohammed Emwazi (AKA 'JIhadi John') to join the Islamic State militant group, as well as the murder of Lee Rigby.
Cameron will say: "For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens: as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone.
David Cameron will fast-track the anti-radicalisation powers
"It's often meant we have stood neutral between different values. And that's helped foster a narrative of extremism and grievance.
"This Government will conclusively turn the page on this failed approach. As the party of one nation, we will govern as one nation, and bring our country together.
"That means actively promoting certain values. Freedom of speech. Freedom of worship. Democracy. The rule of law. Equal rights regardless of race, gender or sexuality.
"We must say to our citizens: this is what defines us as a society.
"To belong here is to believe in these things. And it means confronting head-on the poisonous Islamist extremist ideology. Whether they are violent in their means or not, we must make it impossible for the extremists to succeed."
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The new package is expected to include:
- The introduction of banning orders for extremist organisations who use hate speech in public places, but whose activities fall short of proscription.
- New Extremism Disruption Orders to restrict people who seek to radicalise young people;
- Powers to close premises where extremists seek to influence others;
- Strengthening the powers of the Charity Commission to root out charities who misappropriate funds towards extremism and terrorism;
- Further immigration restrictions on extremists;
- A strengthened role for Ofcom to take action against channels which broadcast extremist content.
The Government is also expected to revive controversial plans for new laws governing the retention of people's activities on the internet and social media.
In 2013, the Communications Data Bill - labelled a "snoopers' charter" by critics - was shelved after opposition from the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats.
The Lib Dems were a thorn in the side of the Tories when it came to such issues.
Nick Clegg also vetoed plans to ban extremist preachers from university campuses over fears that it would limit free speech in the aftermath of the unmasking of Isis murderer 'Jihadi John' as former University of Westminster student Mohammed Emwazi.
It was, according to Breitbart, the “biggest row between the coalition partners to date”.
The plans are part of a broad strategy to tackle extremism set out by Home Secretary Theresa May earlier this year.
May will tell the NSC - a forum where the Government's objectives for national security are discussed by ministers - that "the twisted narrative of extremism cannot be ignored or wished away".
"This Government will challenge those who seek to spread hatred and intolerance by forming a new partnership of every single person and organisation in this country who wants to defeat the extremism," she will say.
Nick Clegg previously vetoed anti-radicalisation over freedom of speech fears
"We will introduce legislation to combat groups and individuals who reject our values and promote messages of hate.
"We will empower institutions to stand up against the extremists and challenge bigotry and ignorance. And we will support those who are fighting back against extremism online.
"United by our values and the basic principles of our society we are determined to defeat extremism in all its forms."
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning, she said that the new legislation would focus not just on radical Islamism but also things like neo-Nazism - things which are "seeking to undermine the very values that make us this great pluralistc society".
May continued: "There will be different views within that nation and nobody is suggesting that different views cannot be expressed.
"What we’re talking about are the key values that underline our society and that are being undermined by extremism. Things like democracy and tolerance."
Many social media users seemed unimpressed with her definition of British values.
Ray Turner tweeted: "Theresa May needs to tell us all what British values are today because for some reason they have totally changed in the past 5 years."
Charles Arthur said: "Theresa May interview was laugh-out-loud. 'We're a tolerant nation with unclear values and we won't tolerate some undefined difference!!'"
Tom Sutcliffe added: "Theresa May struggling to define British values. How about 'living in a country where the government doesn't try to define national values'?"
The terror threat level was raised from substantial to severe in August in the face of Islamic State's activities in Syria and Iraq.
Ministers responded to the threat by introducing a new Counter-terrorism and Security Bill.
The legislation included new orders that can block alleged British fighters from returning to the UK and gave police powers to seize the passports of those suspected of plotting to travel abroad to join the fighting.