The underdog comes out on top
A bigger problem for Tory management is the move to give the vote to prisoners serving sentences of less than four years. The government says it has been forced by the European court of human rights to do this. But the backbenches don't care why. What chance of being reselected after the boundary changes due in three years, they ask, if they're an MP who voted to give muggers and sex offenders the vote?
Yesterday, a Westminster hall debate was tabled on the subject, with whips figuring that MPs would still be wending their way back from their constituencies. But news got out, and one Tory counted 24 coalition backbenchers. MPs reported that of those, only two spoke in the government's support. It's such a non-starter that many say it simply won't come to the house in its current form.
Comment: Woof justice? I cannot wait to see these backbenchers laughing on the other side of their faces.
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
How does the 'less than 4 years' proposal satisfy the Hirst No2 precedent?
ReplyDeleteTim: It doesn't. Yesterday I came across a Council of Europe document which I am digesting at the moment and analysing, and it appears to be sending the UK a very strong message to get on with my case.
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