Robert Jenrick’s proposal to eliminate the Sentencing Council has been strongly criticized as a manipulative tactic. The Shadow Justice Secretary is being accused of undermining the judiciary’s independence further by aiming to transfer more authority to politicians.
During a speech at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester on Tuesday, Jenrick is set to condemn the Sentencing Council for reducing sentences and advocate for increased ministerial control over sentencing policy. This move follows his ongoing criticism of what he perceives as activist judges injecting politics into courtrooms.
In response, the Labour party labeled the announcement as another display of hypocrisy, blaming the Conservatives for damaging the justice system over their 14-year tenure. A comprehensive sentencing review identified a rise in prison terms without a corresponding increase in prison capacity by the Conservatives, leading to overcrowded prisons.
Labour’s spokesperson criticized the Tories for neglecting the prison system, resulting in overcrowded prisons, overwhelmed courts, and a loss of public trust in the justice system. The spokesperson described Jenrick’s actions as self-serving attempts to undermine judicial independence.
The Government recently took action against the Sentencing Council following a dispute over unequal justice practices. Ministers have prohibited the independent body from issuing guidelines to judges after criticizing the Council for suggesting considerations of ethnicity or gender in sentencing decisions.
In his upcoming speech, Jenrick will emphasize the need for equal treatment for all individuals under the law and criticize what he sees as a growing divide in justice under Keir Starmer. The Law Society of England and Wales president, Richard Atkinson, reiterated the importance of maintaining judicial independence and upholding the rule of law through sentencing guidelines that balance consistency and judicial discretion within parliamentary frameworks.