Keir Starmer is currently under pressure from discontented Labour MPs who are objecting to his proposals to decrease the number of cases that proceed to jury trials.
Nearly 40 Labour MPs have jointly penned a letter to the Prime Minister expressing their concerns over the suggested changes, labeling them as “reckless” and urging Starmer to reconsider his stance.
The letter, initiated by Labour MP Karl Turner, cautioned against the significant limitation of the right to jury trials, describing it as an ineffective solution to the backlog in criminal cases. The MPs emphasized the importance of upholding this fundamental right and suggested alternative measures to address the court system’s challenges, such as recruiting more judges, extending court sitting days, and streamlining prisoner transportation.
Justice Secretary David Lammy recently announced the intention to exclude criminals facing sentences under three years from jury trials, a move expected to reduce jury trials from 3% to 1.5%. Notably, serious crimes like rape, murder, and terrorism will still require jury trials in Crown Court.
Despite the government’s rationale of reducing court backlogs, the MPs argued that cutting down on jury trials is not the optimal solution. They highlighted the need for more resources and efficient management of court proceedings to address the backlog effectively.
The MPs stressed that the erosion of the right to jury trials is not acceptable to the public and urged the government to reconsider its approach. They emphasized the historical significance and integrity of jury trials in the justice system.
During a recent session in the Commons, Keir Starmer reiterated the importance of juries in serious cases, affirming their continued significance in the justice system.
In a past instance, the Prime Minister faced significant opposition from within his party over benefit cuts, indicating a history of internal disagreements on policy matters.