While the media, MI5, the police and everyone else who is up for 5 minutes of fame today mull over the significance of the number 42 and David Miliband cuts short his holidays, MPs are preparing to vote today and tomorrow on the eight provisions of the Counter-Terrorism Bill. 42 days' pre-charge detention is one of the measures in the Bill and while this has attracted considerable attention, it is likely that the other seven provisions will go through with little challenge, but are equally harmful to the rights and freedoms of the British public. These proposals include a measure to hold "secret" inquests in the case of deaths where there could be a "national security" issue involved. This would mean no public inquiry into the death of individuals killed by the police, such as Jean-Charles de Menezes or the death of British soldiers abroad, particularly if they are accidentally on purpose killed by their "allies" or other British soldiers. Other provisions will include travel bans for suspects, aggravated sentences if the crime has a "terrorist connection" and making it illegal for individuals to share information about army bases and personnel, which would affect peace protesters campaigning at army bases and outside US military installations in the UK.

What the papers don't say is that in a nutshell this isn't about days and weeks; it's about giving more power to the unaccountable judiciary and executive in this country and taking it away from us, the people. It's not about terrorism; it's about freedom, your freedom.

Two years ago, while the Houses of Lords and Commons played legislative ping-pong over 90 days' pre-charge detention, "thoughts" became a terrorist action and we now have people convicted of thought crimes in this country - no preparation, no action, just convicted of having "thoughts". This set a harmful precedent for us all.

What can you do about it? Let your MP know how you feel about it, not just 42 days but ALL of it. Write/call/email your MP and tell them to vote against ALL of the Counter-Terrorism Bill. Let them know this is about your basic rights and freedoms. You can find a model letter and more information about what we stand to lose at www.campacc.org.uk If you don't know who your MP is, try www.theyworkforyou.com

42 days' pre-charge detention is far-fetched and unrealistic. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has stated that this is illegal and will take legal action against it if it goes through. It is unlikely to but PLEASE do something in the next 24 hours to stop this assault on the rights and freedoms of us all.

Peace Strike held a solidarity demo in Downing Street against the Counter-Terrorism Bill this morning. Protect your civil liberties before it’s too late!