Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said he “absolutely” agreed with three former home secretaries that countering extremism should not be used to gain a “short-term tactical advantage” in the run-up to a general election.

A new definition of extremism and possibly a list of extremist groups are expected to be released this week.

lady come on patelgentlemen Sajid Javid and Amber Ladd Signed a statement calling for “the broadest possible consensus” on countering extremism by Islamists, the far right and others and pledging that “no political party will exploit this issue to seek short-term tactical advantage”.

Latest politics: Three former Tory home secretaries issue warning to PM

Security Minister Tom Tugendhat was asked if he agreed with the former minister’s views.

“Of course, that’s what we’re doing,” he said.

“In fact, I spoke on extremism at a conference on Friday organized by Onward and Labor Together.

“So we are making sure we are setting out an agenda to ensure the British people are protected from extremism and radical ideas.”

He added that the government “of course” needs “new ideas” and “ideological challenges”, but it also needs to “ensure that people in our country are safe and are not lured down a path of radicalization”.

A new plan on the definition of extremism will be launched on Thursday, led by Communities Secretary Michael Gove.

Other signatories to the letter signed by the three former home secretaries include former counter-terrorism police chief Neil Basu, former army chief Lord Dannatt, the government’s political violence adviser Lord Walney, anti-Semitism adviser Lord Mann and Society Cohesion consultant Mrs Sarah Khan.

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“Keeping citizens safe is the government’s primary responsibility. Therefore, dealing with extremism is critical given the very real threats from Islamic extremists, far-right extremists and others,” the letter said.

“If we are to successfully marginalize and defeat it, we need the broadest possible consensus.

“In the run-up to a general election, it is particularly important that consensus is maintained and that no party exploits the issue to seek short-term tactical advantage.

“We urge Labor and the Conservatives to work together to build a shared understanding of extremism and develop a strategy to prevent it that will stand the test of time, regardless of which party wins the election.

“Our country can best respond to extremism if we work together.”

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Brendan Cox, the husband of Labor MP Jo Cox, who was murdered by far-right extremists in 2016, also backed the calls.

He said: “This is an extraordinary intervention by the country’s foremost expert on counter-terrorism and extremism.

“The message is clear, if we are to effectively tackle extremism we have to work together. It cannot be used as a political football, especially in the run-up to an election. Some things are too important.”