Robert Jenrick’s proposal to eliminate the Sentencing Council has been criticized as a “deceptive tactic.” The Shadow Justice Secretary is being accused of further eroding the autonomy of the judiciary by aiming to transfer more authority to politicians.
During a speech at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester on Tuesday, Jenrick is anticipated to criticize the Sentencing Council for reducing sentences and argue that ministers should have more influence. He is expected to outline strategies to put ministers in control of sentencing policies.
This move comes in the midst of continuous criticism from Jenrick against what he perceives as activist judges injecting politics into court proceedings. The Labour Party characterized the announcement as another instance of hypocrisy, pointing out the damage done to the justice system during the Conservatives’ 14-year rule.
A significant sentencing review revealed that the gradual rise in prison terms, coupled with the Conservatives’ failure to expand prison capacities, has led to overcrowded prisons. A Labour representative criticized the Tories for neglecting the prison system, resulting in overcrowded prisons, overwhelmed courts, and shattered public trust in the justice system.
The Government recently imposed restrictions on the Sentencing Council following a dispute over unequal justice. Ministers have prohibited the independent body from issuing guidelines to judges. This decision followed criticism of the Sentencing Council for suggesting that judges consider factors like ethnicity or gender when determining the need for a pre-sentence report.
In his speech on Tuesday, Jenrick will emphasize the need for equal treatment under the law, stating, “We are sliding into a two-tier nightmare under Keir Starmer. Every individual in this country must be treated equally, regardless of their background.” The president of the Law Society of England and Wales, Richard Atkinson, stressed the importance of maintaining judicial independence and upholding the rule of law through sentencing guidelines that ensure consistency while granting judges discretion to tailor sentences appropriately within the parliamentary framework.